Held at Welshpool Livestock Market, those present received details of the work of the CVO and were given an update on various diseases currently impacting the industry, with a particular focus on bovine TB in the area.
TB - What is happening?
With Montgomeryshire mainly falling in the High TB Area East, those present were particularly keen to hear what measures were being put in place to rid the area of the devastating disease. Dr Irvine explained how he was very aware of the impact bovine TB had on farming families and their livelihoods, he highlighted that whilst there had been a downward trend in incidence and prevalence since 2009, there was a long way to go.
As part of the work being carried out, Dr Irvine discussed the Badger Found Dead Survey and encouraged members to use this, to help gain a better understanding of the disease picture in the wildlife population. Dr Irvine also highlighted the importance of the new TB Eradication Programme Board in giving farmers a very clear voice with regards to bovine TB in Wales. The board has brought together representation from farmers and the veterinary profession, with the chair being Sharon Hammond, a current member of NFU Cymru’s TB Focus Group.
Dr Irvine highlighted other measures put in place by Welsh Government, including ongoing work to improve communications with farmers; working with the farming charities; the Pembrokeshire Project led by vets and farmers and working with the GB Calf Strategy Group.
TB Concerns
Members present acknowledged the continued work of the CVO but did raise strong concerns on the TB picture across the county. They shared their personal experiences of how the disease is causing huge worry and anger within the industry when farmers are doing all they can, but all the tools in the box for tackling this disease aren’t being used.
Montgomeryshire NFU Cymru County Chairman, Dafydd Parry Jones said: “We are grateful to Dr Richard Irvine for attending our county conference this year. We’ve heard about the ongoing work being undertaken on animal health and welfare by the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer and the importance of us, as farmers, being vigilant to prevent disease from entering our farms. With a number of exotic notifiable disease threats around the globe at present, we also need effective border controls to protect the UK livestock sector.”