This exercise comes off the back of significant NFU Cymru lobbying, led by the NFU Cymru TB Focus Group, around improving the communications APHA and Welsh Government send farmers regarding bTB. This is evidenced by the results of a member survey run by NFU Cymru last year where respondents highlighted the importance of effective and transparent communication during a TB breakdown and when asked if they could change one thing about the communications they received from government and or APHA, almost 40% said they would alter the language and tone of the letters they receive from these agencies.
More empathetic tone needed
The feedback submitted by NFU Cymru focused on the need for the letters to be written in a more empathetic tone and to use farmer friendly language, rather than using jargon or abbreviations. There is also a need to ensure the information on the letters is relevant, for example including information about TB regulations in Scotland and England is unhelpful and can be confusing for farmers operating under Welsh bTB rules.
We suggested that all letters should include contact details of the APHA case vets and to clarify their roles and responsibilities in relation to TB breakdown management. We also suggested that information sheets could be used to provide further guidance or explanation on key terms and the processes involved, for example a flow chart could identify the steps related to contiguous test, these could be included alongside the letter or could be made available online.
Digital communications
We also requested that APHA explore opportunities to make some of their communications digital. Provision must always be available for those who wish to receive communications in hard copy, but the volume of paperwork received during a TB breakdown can be overwhelming, so APHA should consider if any of their communications can be moved to electronic. For example, we believe there would be benefit in farmers being able to access, perhaps through some sort of portal, a store of chronologically organised letters.
NFU Cymru hope there will be the opportunity to provide feedback on letters related to bTB beyond this initial tranche and we will continue to keep pressing the need for clear and effective communication around bTB between APHA, Welsh Government and farmers.