Concerns among the Anglesey agricultural community have been growing in recent months, prompting NFU Cymru to host a meeting on Wednesday 5 July in order for members to hear from representatives of Welsh Government and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
TB Breakdowns on the island
Surveillance data[1] shows that at the end of March 2023, there were 19 open breakdowns on Anglesey. This compares to five at the end of March 2022 and two for March 2018. Whilst these figures remain low, compared to other areas of Wales, the rise in incidence and prevalence, along with increasing numbers of cattle culled for TB control purposes, on the island is cause for concern.
Representatives from the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer within Welsh Government and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) spoke to members about the current bovine TB disease picture on Anglesey and also gave a detailed briefing on monitoring and efforts to control the disease.
Farmers in attendance gave Welsh Government officials an account of their experiences with bovine TB on farm to date and the impacts that this had on their families and their businesses.
Members' asks to government
During the meeting, members gave a strong indication to government that they wanted to see the return of pre-movement testing (PrMT) on the island to assist with disease control and minimising risk. Whilst this would place additional costs on farmers, it was felt that it would provide added reassurance and additional safeguards that animals being moved within and from the Low TB Area have tested negative prior to the move. Welsh Government has recently announced it intends to bring forward legislation to reintroduce pre-movement testing in the Low TB Area, those present at the meeting wished for this requirement to be reintroduced as soon as possible.
The meeting also heard from former NFU Cymru President and current Chair of Welsh Government’s Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group Stephen James, whose Pembrokeshire dairy farm is currently in the High TB Area West. Mr James told the audience that bovine TB had been a constant presence on his Clynderwen farm for 30 years. He shared with the audience his thoughts on how he’d best approach protecting his herd from the disease now with the benefit of what he has learned over the last three decades. He also urged all farmers present at the meeting to practise the highest possible standards of biosecurity on farm in a bid to keep the disease out.
High level of worry
NFU Cymru Head of Operations Iestyn Pritchard said: “Bovine TB is clearly becoming a major issue for farmers on the island. NFU Cymru was eager to host this meeting as an opportunity for local members to engage with government and stakeholders about the threat of this disease. The turnout at this meeting was testament to the level of worry that exists among cattle farmers on the island, many of whom have never had any experience of having the disease at their door and the knock-on effect that this has for testing and herd movements, for example.
“I’d like to thank Welsh Government and APHA for making their officials available for this meeting. It’s important that Welsh Government and APHA continue to communicate with Anglesey farmers in a timely fashion about changes to the disease picture here on the island, and likewise that farming businesses can provide feedback and their views are listened to. NFU Cymru will continue to hold dialogue with all parties on this ongoing issue.”