, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary
for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: We are in the third
year of the latest five-year TB Eradication Programme
Delivery Plan and have made substantial progress, with
partnership and collaboration at the heart of our approach. The
latest TB statistics continue to show long-term
decreases in new TB herd incidents which is encouraging and
demonstrates how far we have come since the TB Eradication
Programme began in 2008. Equally, there is still a long way to
go, and the number of cattle slaughtered in Wales remains
high. This is not unexpected, as this figure partly reflects our
strategic use of more sensitive diagnostic tools. Identification
of bovine TB at an earlier stage, and before it has chance to
spread, can only be beneficial in the long-term.
Following evidence and recommendations from the Technical
Advisory Group (TAG) concerning the on-farm slaughter of TB
reactors, we continue to see farmers making use of the option to
delay the slaughter of certain categories of cattle and
avoid them having to be slaughtered on farm. Figures from
the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) show that in the first
12 months since this policy was introduced, 320 out of a
total of 1,126 cattle had a delayed removal. The need to
slaughter on farm was avoided for over 28% of the cattle, giving
farmers more choice and flexibility. Behind every animal
slaughtered there is a farmer, a farming family and a livelihood
and I would strongly encourage anyone who is struggling with
their mental health to approach one of the excellent
organisations available for support. Whilst on farm slaughter is
sometimes unavoidable, I hope this flexibility in allowing a
delay to slaughter is beneficial.
Another key change advised by the TAG and the Programme Board
took effect from January this year - the lifetime restriction of
resolved standard Inconclusive Reactors (IRs). Resolved IR
cattle are many times more likely to become TB reactors at a
future test than animals with a clear test result, and so are a
potential reservoir for spreading disease. Restricting the
movement of IR cattle from the holding on which they were found
reduces the risk of them spreading TB to other herds. It also
gives farmers a choice in how they manage these animals within
their own herd.
Our funded industry-led TB projects in Pembrokeshire and in North
Wales continue to build on our partnership approach to TB
eradication and have received interest across the UK and further
afield. These collaborative projects have empowered vets and
farmers to make informed decisions and take ownership for
eradicating TB and keeping disease out at the local level. We are
now taking the opportunity to review the approaches before
considering, alongside industry, how we can build on this work
across Wales.
With the Programme Board and TAG fully integrated into our TB
Eradication Programme, we have the necessary skills, expertise
and experience to strengthen our approach and make further
strides forwards towards our ultimate goal of a TB free Wales.
The TB Eradication Programme Board, informed by advice from the
TAG, has today published its position paper on bovine
TB in Wales. I would like to express my thanks to both Groups
for their ongoing work. It will now be for the newly elected
Government following the Senedd elections in May to consider the
position paper.
The path to a TB‑free Wales is challenging, ambitious and
long-term, but the direction of travel is clear.
Wales' success ultimately depends on partnership:
TB eradication cannot be achieved by government alone. It
requires engagement from farmers, vets, markets, processors, and
rural stakeholders working hand‑in‑hand. Through strategic
testing, biosecurity, targeted movement controls, improved
governance and strong partnership, we are aligning science,
policy, and practice. These foundations will stand us in good
stead for a future where Welsh farms are healthier, more
resilient, and more secure.
