Welsh government finalising extra control measures to keep bTB incidence low.

The Welsh government will be providing Anglesey cattle keepers with additional advice to help keep bovine tuberculosis (bTB) incidence on the island low.

The government is currently considering and developing extra control measures in order to stay ahead of the disease in Anglesey. The measures will also help protect the wider lower incidence areas of North Wales.

Compared to other parts of Wales, Anglesey has low levels of bTB, but recent surveillance data shows an increase in incidence and prevalence.

For the year to 30 September, the average number of open breakdowns at the end of each quarter was six. This is a 0.5 rise compared to the previous year, and a 2.75 rise compared to 2017.

The government is concerned that the rise may indicate that Anglesey is another area with emerging bTB. There are already established clusters of the disease in rural Wrexham, Denbighshire and the Conwy Valley.

While the advice is being finalised, farmers are asked to do the following in order to protect their herd:

• If you need to purchase cattle, make sure you understand the TB status and history of the herd and area you are buying from. Be mindful of individual animals’ TB testing and movement history. ibTB is a useful online interactive mapping tool set up to help cattle farmers and their vets understand the level of bovine TB in their area and manage the risks when purchasing cattle.
• If you bring cattle into your herd, make sure they are isolated pending post-movement testing (if applicable).
• Ensure your herd is protected from disease by putting in place high standards of biosecurity. Your private vet will be able to advise you of measures you can put in place to protect your herd.
• If your herd has a TB breakdown, take up the free Cymorth TB veterinary visit offered to you. This will help support you with practical information to help eradicate TB from your herd at the earliest opportunity.

Minister for rural affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “All cattle farmers on Anglesey will receive a letter over the next week advising them of the measures they can take now to protect their herd. Numbers are reassuringly low compared to other parts of Wales, but we are taking action now to keep it that way as figures show a rise in the prevalence of the disease.”