Welsh government publishes new bovine TB plan
Nearly 95 per cent of Welsh herds are now free of bTB.
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.”
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.
