Ceredigion farmers express TB concerns
UK - “To control TB we must control all sources of infection,” Stephen James, NFU Cymru representative on the Wales TB Action Group told Ceredigion farmers at a Union meeting in Ciliau Aeron recently.
25 October 2006
2 minute read
Mr James, a dairy farmer from Pembrokeshire, highlighted that in Wales pre movement testing of cattle from high risk areas is currently finding only 0.3% of cattle reacting positive to the TB test, compared to the recent Badger Found Dead survey across Wales which discovered 12% of badgers infected with TB.
Mr James said, “The farming industry is prepared to work with the Welsh Assembly Government to eradicate TB, we will accept that the industry has to take some uncompromising measures such as increased testing, use of the gamma interferon blood tests and proven biosecurity measures to reduce cattle and badger contact, but at the same time it is imperative that the Welsh Assembly Government deal with the infected wildlife population.
“Having previously travelled to Ireland to investigate how they are managing to reduce the incidence of TB in their cattle and wildlife populations I have no doubt that similar control strategies would work in West Wales. Ireland has shown a 60-96% reduction in Bovine TB in areas where measures are taken to remove diseased wildlife as well as cattle. I believe that the success in Ireland can be used as a template for a control and eradication strategy for Wales.”
In Conclusion NFU Cymru Ceredigion County Chairman Gerwyn Owen, a dairy farmer from Dihewydd, said, “It is clear from what we have heard tonight that the ball is now firmly in the court of our political masters, the evidence in this country and in others shows that the only way to eradicate TB is to remove diseased wildlife as well as cattle.”
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