New Welsh bovine TB advisory group ‘a positive step forward’

Industry leaders have welcomed the upcoming launch of a new technical group of experts to tackle bovine TB in Wales as a “positive step” towards eradication of the disease.

The Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group (TAG), which will advise Welsh government ministers on the science to tackle bovine TB in cattle herds in Wales, will host its first meeting at the end of April.

World renowned bovine TB expert Glyn Hewinson has been appointed as chairman of the group to head a panel of six or seven experts, including prominent scientists, people with a background in social science, and vets.

See also: Survey reveals full impact of bovine TB on Welsh farmers

The Welsh government is due to launch the group next month and reveal the public appointments.

The group will provide technical expertise on a number of key TB policy areas in Wales, such as the management and slaughter of in-calf cattle on farm.

It will report to a TB eradication Programme Board, consisting of cross-industry stakeholders, but ministers will ultimately be tasked with making policy decisions.

Derbyshire-based farm vet Sarah Tomlinson sits on the TB Partnership in England and is also technical director of the Defra-funded TB Advisory Service (TBAS).

She said: “The Bovine TB TAG is a really positive step for TB policy in Wales.

“I really feel that the TB Partnership and TBAS has helped support and deliver the successful polices in England that we’ve seen. I hope this new group can play a similar role in Wales.”

‘Long-awaited’

NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader, who manages a dairy herd in south Wales, said: “We have been looking forward to this group launching for a long time. The stakes are very high and it is a daunting task for those involved.

“I believe the biggest catalyst for some of the recent Welsh farmer protests was the lack of government action on TB.”

A Welsh government spokesman said more information on the new Bovine TB TAG will be revealed in the coming weeks.