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Defra TB strategy announcement - NFU response NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Bovine TB remains a huge threat to beef and dairy farmers in large parts of the country. More than 28,000 cattle were slaughtered in England last year because of it and nearly 4,000 herds that had previously been clear of the disease were affected by it.” armers facing a daily battle against bTB in those areas that have been granted licences for badger control operations this year will welcome the news that finally action is being taken to tackle the reservoir of disease in wildlife in these areas. Today’s announcement means that badger control will now be taking place in ten per cent of the area where cattle are at the highest risk of contracting bTB. “There is still a huge amount of work ahead to ensure the eradication of bTB from this country and I would like to take
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this opportunity to thank farmers for their continued support in working towards this goal. “The Chief Vet has made it clear that dealing with the disease in both cattle and badgers is essential to tackling the disease effectively and that proactive badger control is currently the best available option for dealing with the disease in badgers. The number of areas that have expressed interest in carrying out badger controls in future years not only shows the sheer extent of the bTB problem farmers are facing but also the industry’s continued commitment to playing its part in tackling this devastating disease.
“We have always said that we must use every option available to tackle bTB, including cattle testing, cattle movement controls, improving biosecurity, and encouraging farmers to make informed decisions when buying cattle in from other areas. “We will consult with our members before submitting our response to the consultation launched today on introducing further cattle measures, including more severe skin tests for herds in the area at greatest risk from bTB and increased surveillance testing for all herds in the areas on the edge of the disease spread. “The new farm advice packs will
provide farmers with information to help them improve the effectiveness of the biosecurity measures they implement on their farms, and the updated online mapping tool will allow farmers to make better informed decisions when buying in livestock to minimise the risk of bringing bTB onto their farms. “The NFU has always said that control of bTB in non-bovine animals has to be part of any strategy to tackle the disease so we welcome the consultation launched today on introducing further disease control measures for these species.”
Louise is putting Wales on the map at International Farming Seminar One local Young Farmers member will soon be representing the whole of Wales as she jets off to Norway this October.
lamorgan Young Farmers Club member Louise Evans is travelling to Norway this October to act as an ambassador for Wales at the annual Rural Youth Europe Autumn Seminar. The event, which lasts a week, offers young farmers from across Europe the opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions, as well as share their own. On her trip to Oslo, Norway’s capital, Louise will be supported by Welsh crisp manufacturers Jones Crisps, who use only Welsh potatoes and ingredients to produce crisps at their Gwynedd base. She has also received the backing of Welsh MEP Dr Kay Swinburne who has supplied her with Welsh dragon soft toy souvenirs and information about Welsh farming for the rest of the international visitors to Norway. Louise said: "I am thrilled to have received such an array of produce.
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“The crisps from will go down a storm! “A big thank you to Jones Crisps. I am a proud YFC member and I am going to make sure that Wales is recognised as being the best country at this year’s event". This year’s seminar has been given the topic ‘Think, Love, Move, Do' and aims to identify social inclusion, raise awareness and challenge people’s mindsets. The meaty topic will certainly raise some questions, especially with the changes in YFC and keeping it current and relevant for members. Louise Evans, 24, who is an active member of Maendy Young Farmers believes that “the more you put into YFC, the more you get out". “I am very lucky to have been selected to attend Norway. I am really looking forward to taking part in the seminar and hopefully see the Norwegian landscape as well as teach others about Wales.”
September 2016 | Farming Monthly | 07