The union has put its members front and centre of a series of videos promoting the NFU Cymru Growing Together manifesto and its policy asks of candidates and parties standing in the upcoming Senedd Elections.
The clips showcase farmers raising the profile of the important issues that matter to Welsh farming and rural communities ahead of the upcoming Senedd Elections.
The latest video in this pre-election series features NFU Cymru Bovine TB Focus Group Chair Roger Lewis, who details the devastating impact that bovine TB is having on Welsh herds and farming families.
He urges the next Welsh Government to take a robust, evidence-driven approach to eradicating the disease in the interests of today’s Welsh farmers and those who will follow in their footsteps.
Shocking statistics
Roger, whose own farm has been affected by bovine TB, said: “Over 11,000 cattle were slaughtered in Wales over the last calendar year due to bovine TB - a truly shocking statistic. Behind these figures lies the anguish experienced by farming families across Wales who deal with this disease, or the threat of this disease, on a daily basis.
“This disease places a huge strain on our Welsh farming industry. We cannot continue slaughtering thousands of cattle each year, whilst leaving the disease in wildlife unaddressed. There is clear evidence of a link between bovine TB in wildlife and cattle.
Targeted approach
“The next Welsh Government should adopt a targeted approach - one which deploys the right intervention, whether that be culling or vaccination, in the right way and at the right time. We must be guided by the local disease picture on the ground and tackle the disease wherever it exists.
“Good on farm biosecurity remains crucial to protect our herds which are currently TB free. In addition, the stringent cattle control and testing regime will continue to play an incredibly important role in controlling this disease.
Hope for the next generation?
“If the next generation are to have any hope of farming in Wales without TB, then something needs to change. We urge the next Welsh Government to implement a comprehensive TB eradication strategy which actively tackles the disease in all its vectors.”
