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Welsh government publishes new bovine TB plan
Nearly 95 per cent of Welsh herds are now free of bTB.
The country aims to be free of the disease by 2041.

The Welsh government has published a new five-year Delivery Plan as it continues with its strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Wales.

Building on existing work, the new plan aims to increase the amount of collaboration in bTB eradication to empower vets and farmers to make informed decisions and show leadership in controlling the disease.

Rules about testing will be changed. Legislation to reintroduce pre-movement testing for cattle movements within and from the Low TB Area will be brought forward and there will be an extension of the requirement for post-movement testing in the Intermediate TB Areas.

A Programme Board and Technical Advisory Group will be established to provide technical expertise on key policy areas such as the management of in-calf cattle affected by bTB.

There will also be engagement with stakeholders on TB payments and informed purchasing to explore policy options, with further legislative changes in the future.

In recent years, Wales has been making progress at reducing incidents of bTB. Between 2009 and December 2022, new cases of bTB in Welsh herds fell by 49 per cent and prevalence dropped by 32 per cent. This meant that by December 2022, 94.7 per cent of herds were free of the disease.

Minister for rural affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “I am very aware of the impact of bovine TB on our farming community and the emotional and financial consequences of this disease. It is extremely distressing for farmers who have an outbreak in their herd. That’s why I am clear we must maintain momentum and build on our already extensive programme of measures, to make further progress towards the eradication of bovine TB in Wales.

“Good progress has already been made, with the long-term trends showing a decrease in cases. We must build on this. However, Government cannot do this alone. Partnership working is needed with our farmers and vets to reach our goal of a TB-free Wales.

“The plan I have published today, outlines what we can all do together over the next five years, to build on what has already been achieved. We must all unite to succeed in eradicating this disease.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.