Reported incidents reduced by 47 per cent
More than 95 per cent of cattle herds in Wales are now TB-free, the chief veterinary officer for Wales has confirmed.
Speaking at NFU Cymru’s AGM in Pembrokeshire, Christianne Glossop highlighted the progress made and addressed some misconceptions about the disease picture in Wales.
She spoke about the increase in cattle slaughtered, stressing that while it is still a cause for concern, it did not reflect a worsening situation.
She explained that the rise is due to an increase in the use of more sensitive blood and skin tests, which can identify infected cattle in infected herds much earlier.
“We all recognise bovine TB has a significant financial and social impact on farm businesses and the wider rural economy,” she said. “While it is encouraging to see the number of new herd incidents falling, even in our highest incidence areas, I recognise this is of little comfort to the farms currently suffering a TB breakdown. This is why we are focusing our efforts on eliminating the disease in affected herds.”
During the AGM, Ms Glossop highlighted the cabinet secretary’s position on controlling bovine TB in wildlife, saying an “England-style” cull had been ruled out in Wales.
The Randomised Badger Culling Trial in England showed a net reduction of 16 per cent of new incidents of bovine TB over nine years, she said. In comparison, the number of new incidents recorded in Wales had reduced by 47 per cent. This was achieved through the application of increased testing, improved biosecurity and other cattle control measures.
As a result, the cabinet secretary has put forward a measured response to controlling the disease in wildlife in Wales. Focussing on persistent TB breakdowns, where it can be objectively proven badgers are infected, it is proposed the infected groups of badgers are trapped and humanely killed.
Ms Glossop added that work has already begun to develop bespoke action plans for each herd, including any wildlife contribution to the problem.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
