Bells are ringing out for another consultation exercise on bovine TB

NOTHING announces the arrival of ‘that time of year’ more than Christmas songs being played on the radio.

For some reason, the DJS seemed particularly keen to start early this year. It might just be an attempt to raise spirits and herald a more ‘normal’ Christmas than we had last year, or to hurry the year along to its end. Who knows? For Welsh farmers, the bells are ringing out for another consultation exercise announced by Welsh Government, on the bovine TB eradication policy.

Following the Westminster spending review signalling a reduction in funding for Welsh agriculture compared to the 2019 allocation, it would be naïve to expect anything but a strong focus on cost reduction as a part of this consultation. There are no surprises.

Regrettably, the consultation document is unbalanced in its approach to TB eradication and is very much out of kilter with the reality experienced by afflicted farms and the wider industry.

Respectfully, it’s all well and good for the minister to talk about a 48% decrease in new TB breakdowns, but the slaughter of 100,000 cattle in a matter of 10 years is wholly unacceptable.

It all points to the failure of Welsh Government over decades to take a balanced approach to the whole issue of eradicating Bovine TB.

Put plainly, the content of this consultation document is a clear indicator of Welsh Government prioritising politics over the scientific evidence by failing to act meaningfully to address the disease reservoir in wildlife.

This consultation considers options for passing the burden of cost of dealing with bovine TB back onto the industry by levy, insurance or salvage payment by the abattoir.

Other proposals would undoubtedly prolong the stress and pressure on farming families living under the cloud of a TB breakdown.

Over the years, media outlets have sought to vividly show the public the reality and the impact of a TB breakdown.

They have shown both the economic impact and the effect on human beings. Social media has been used successfully in this respect, also.

And while bovine TB remains a major issue for our industry, as farmers we are of course also mindful of the economic and human losses suffered over the course of the pandemic. We do not want to be seen to be asking for pity, rather we just want to see this horrendous disease tackled effectively and eradicated as quickly as possible.

Responding individually to the Welsh Government consultation and providing a clear rationale for our points of view is imperative.