NFU Cymru officeholders, members and staff met with both the Welsh Government bTB Programme Board and bTB Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to discuss the TB eradication strategy.
Areas of discussion included the TAG’s investigation into the role of wildlife in TB transmission, efforts to improve communication around TB including the ongoing review of Cymorth TB and access to testing data for farmers wishing to work with their vet to further analyse their results. With the Programme Board, we also highlighted the lack of exit strategy for farmers that wish to exit the industry but are trapped by ongoing TB restrictions.
On the Wednesday morning of the show NFU Cymru hosted a seminar on animal health and welfare. The panel, chaired by NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader, included the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Wales Dr Richard Irvine, Chair of the Welsh Government bTB Programme Board and Radnorshire farmer Sharon Hammond and President of British Veterinary Association (BVA) Welsh branch, Phoebe McCarter.
Bluetongue
The CVO for Wales started by discussing the control policy for Bluetongue and efforts being made to promote vaccination. He highlighted the importance of farmers, vets and government working together in partnership to eradicate various diseases. He also shared his hopes that by including animal health and welfare as a key part of the SFS that it will continue to maintain and enhance standards on farm.
Biosecurity
Ms McCarter focused on biosecurity; with a resounding message that prevention is better than cure. She highlighted that biosecurity is much wider than just wildlife and it includes staff training and procedures, considering disease contingency plans, and considering policies for incoming or sick animals.
Finally, Mrs Hammond highlighted her practical experience of TB as a farmer and the role of the Programme Board in providing independent strategic advice, which is grounded in industry experience as well as the science and evidence, to the Deputy First Minister on TB.
An open Q&A followed with members making the most of the opportunity to quiz the panel on their views around TB, BVD, Bluetongue and the preparedness of APHA / government to deal with any outbreaks of notifiable disease.
In addition, NFU Cymru met various stakeholders, including veterinary organisations and projects, to discuss all aspects of animal health across the course of the week. Bluetongue continued to be a hot topic and NFU Cymru staff and members gave several media interviews on the impact of the controls and urged farmers to consider discussing with their vet if vaccination is right for them.
We inputted into conversations around the animal health and welfare aspects of the SFS, BVD eradication and sheep scab. We also celebrated progress made by Welsh farmers and the wider industry to use antibiotics responsibly as part of the Arwain DGC project, with several members receiving recognition for their efforts.