Farm leaders alarmed by new proposals to fight bovine TB crisis

NEW tabular payments for slaughtered cattle and an end to badger trapping are among a new set of proposals to tackle the bovine TB crisis in Wales.

Farmers may also face longer herd lockdowns as the Welsh Government aims to cement long-term progress and tackle a disease uptick in North Wales.

The proposals, contained in a “refreshed” TB Eradication Programme, have alarmed farm leaders, who say they are “deeply frustrated” by the current approach which “sees politics, all too often, overriding the science”.

The slaughter of 10,700 cattle over the past 12 months was not a sign of acceptable progress, said NFU Cymru.

New TB incidents have fallen 48% since 2009 but a recent increase in herd breakdowns, largely linked to cattle movements, could now herald tighter pre-movement testing.

Currently, farms with herds that test clear after the second of two shortinterval tests can use the second reading as a movement test.

Under proposals set out in a 12-week consultation, the farm will now need another clear test 60 days later before it can move cattle.

A move to tabular payments, for cattle slaughtered as a result of TB, is also proposed. A similar system was introduced in England 10 years ago.

Rural affairs minister Lesley Griffith said this will ensure payments are “fair and proportionate”, and “reflects the financial resources available”.

Such a move is likely to penalise breeders as tabular payments struggle to reflect the true value of the animal’s individual merits, which can only be assessed by an expert valuer. Neither do they cover consequential losses, such as loss of production and extra feeding costs, suffered by the farms on lockdown.

NFU Cymru president John Davies said reducing compensation was not the best way to tackle rising budget costs.

He said: “We are absolutely clear that the only way to reduce any overspend is to ensure the disease is controlled quickly and effectively.

“We are deeply frustrated that Welsh Government refuses to learn the lessons from England, and all the other countries in the world, who have successfully tackled this disease through a comprehensive TB eradication strategy.

“Welsh Government appears to be unique in its thinking that this disease can be eradicated without proactively dealing with diseased animals in both cattle and wildlife populations.” Under the new proposals, badger trap and test work in persistent herd breakdowns will be phased out from this year.

This was blamed on the “limited sample size” and short follow-up period that provide “limited meaningful results”.

Work will be completed on existing farms but new ones will not be recruited into the process. The money saved will see a further £100,000 available initially for expanding badger vaccination.

Other proposals include:

■ Informed Purchasing to encourage farmers to provide TB information about cattle they are selling.

■ A review of the premovement skin test amid concerns it is not sensitive enough.

■ A ban on the feeding of raw milk to livestock on dairy farms under restrictions to prevent TB spreading from cows to youngstock. Currently this practice is only advisory.

■ A review of options for extra veterinary capacity for TB testing.

■ “TB Champions” to advise farmers and to help them through TB breakdowns. This will involve a new task and finish group.

■ Continuation of the All Wales Badger Found Dead Survey.