New Welsh bovine TB board ‘must follow the science’

The Welsh Conservatives have cautiously welcomed the formation of an advisory group aimed at tackling bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Wales, but remain critical of Labour’s track record in following scientific evidence.

Shadow rural affairs minister James Evans MS said the Welsh government must heed expert advice and follow the scientific evidence on its bovine TB policy, if it is to eradicate the disease.

See also: Video: Dairy farmer who suffered bovine TB hell exits industry

The Welsh Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the two farming unions in Wales – NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) – have repeatedly criticised the Labour-led administration for its refusal to introduce badger culling to tackle the reservoir of disease in TB “hotspot” areas, such as Pembrokeshire.

The latest official government figures show that the Welsh government is failing to make any significant progress in its efforts to eradicate bovine TB.

In Wales, the number of cattle slaughtered between July 2023 and June 2024 was 11,789 – a 24% increase year-on-year and the most over a 12-month period since 2009.

At the end of 2023, 634 herds were living under TB restrictions in Wales, a 5% increase from the end of 2022.

Mr Evans said the new TB advisory group is a “positive step”, and he hoped it will “convince the Welsh government to follow the science”.

The new board is set to hold its first meeting in December.

It will be chaired by experienced beef, sheep and poultry farmer Sharon Hammond, and will bring together key stakeholders from the farming and veterinary sectors to work toward the eradication of bovine TB in Wales by 2041.

One of the first tasks of the board will be to consider the analysis of the bovine TB six-year milestone target review and policy relating to the management of inconclusive reactor test results.

The board will also be supported by the Technical Advisory Group, which includes world-leading experts like Professor Glyn Hewinson.

Collaborative approach

The announcement by Welsh government follows broader discussions on bovine TB, including the AberTB conference conference held in Aberystwyth on 18 September, which focused on the social dimensions of TB control, emphasising collaboration between government, industry, and the veterinary profession.

FUW deputy president and dairy farmer, Dai Miles, said: “As an industry, we can not continue with the status quo.

“We must grasp this opportunity to work collaboratively as an industry to influence and direct change, not only for the present health and wellbeing of our cattle and farmers, but also for our future generations.”