The outcomes and recommendations from the Bovine TB Technical
Advisory Group's (TAG) first meeting are announced today.
The TAG's inaugural meeting was held on 17 April, with the
priority to discuss and produce advice regarding the current
on-farm slaughter of TB reactors policy.
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs,
has accepted the Group's recommendations in
full.
Immediate changes will now be made to the on-farm slaughter
policy, with the aim of reducing the numbers of cattle
slaughtered on-farm in Wales.
The main reasons cattle may be slaughtered on-farm for TB control
purposes are either because they are not able to travel on
welfare grounds, particularly if in late pregnancy, or as a
consequence of medicine withdrawal periods.
Farmers will be able to choose to delay the removal of a cow or
heifer in the last 60 days of pregnancy and animals that have
given birth in the previous 7 days, subject to biosecurity
conditions to protect other cattle in the herd. Equally, for
there to be a limited flexibility to isolate and delay removal if
within a few days of the end of a medicine withdrawal period, on
a case-by-case basis.
In addition, The Welsh Government, NFU Cymru, FUW and other
relevant representatives from the cattle sector will set up an
industry-led partnership working group which will continue to
look at how on-farm slaughter for different reasons, and it's
impacts, can be minimised through co-design and delivery.
To see the direct impact of TB breakdown on farming families, The
Rural Affairs Secretary recently visited Rhadyr Farm, Usk which
has been impacted by a TB breakdown.
In addition to the family, the Rural Affairs Secretary met with
Farming Unions and vets during the visit to get an opportunity to
listen to a range of views relating to TB and on-farm slaughter.
The Cabinet Secretary, said: “We recognise the devastation a TB
breakdown brings to a farming family and business.
“The slaughter of cattle on-farm can be particularly distressing
to those who witness it and can have a detrimental impact on
farmers' and farmworkers' wellbeing and mental health.
“Recognising the impact on farmers, their families and their
businesses It is at the forefront of my mind.
“I'd like to thank the TAG for working at pace to deliver these
recommendations on such a sensitive subject. We can now start to
work on exploring where positive changes can be made to the TB
programme.
“We cannot eradicate TB alone. Partnership working with farmers
and vets is crucial to reaching the shared goal of a TB-free
Wales.”
