THE WELSH Government’s Rural Affairs Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, has announced the members of the new TB Programme Board.
The establishment of the Programme Board was announced earlier this summer at the Anglesey Agricultural Show. The Cabinet Secretary confirmed its members while addressing the fourth annual AberTB conference, which was held on September 18 at Aberystwyth University.
ERADICATING TB AN EMOTIVE SUBJECT
Eradicating bovine TB is a massively complex and emotive subject. Farmgate frustrations with ineffective policies fueled the farming sector’s protests during the spring of 2024. One of the Programme Board’s first tasks will be to consider the analysis of the bovine TB 6-year milestone target review and policy relating to the management of Inconclusive Reactor test results.
Cattle keepers continue to be shackled by this ongoing disease, with no inroads being made in achieving the Welsh Government’s goal of bovine TB freedom by 2041 despite huge sacrifices being imposed on farming businesses.
The Programme Board will provide strategic advice to the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales and Welsh Ministers on the progress of the Welsh Government’s bTB policy, including the use of new reactor tests.
The Board and the Welsh Government’s Technical Advisory Group will consider the analysis of the TB 6-year milestone target review during 2025.
Sharon Hammond will chair the Programme Board. Ms Hammond is a beef, sheep and poultry farmer in Mid Wales and has practical experience with the challenges of TB outbreaks and restrictions. She has been a member of the NFU Cymru TB Focus Group since its inception.
Huw Irranca-Davies said: “Partnership working is at the heart of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme here in Wales.
“I am pleased to see farmers and both farming unions at the heart of this new Bovine TB Eradication Programme Board and the governance arrangements we have committed to – and are now in place.
“Working closely together with the TAG and Programme Board, alongside the Welsh Government, will ensure farmers, vets, stakeholders, scientific experts, and the Welsh Government are leading the way together in the shared goal to eradicate bovine TB in Wales by 2041.”
NFU CYMRU WELCOMES BOARD’S EXPERTISE
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “It is welcome news that the Cabinet Secretary has appointed Sharron Hammond as Chair of the Bovine TB Programme Board, alongside Roger Lewis, who Chairs the NFU Cymru TB Focus Group and Evan. They have significant expertise in Bovine TB and have been actively involved in our TB Focus Group for a number of years now.
“Following the appointment of the Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group (TAG) earlier in the year, the Programme Board is the final important piece in the governance structure for the Welsh Government’s TB policy. It is positive to see strong farmer and veterinary representation around the table, as farming families and their private farm vets are at the front line of dealing with this dreadful disease, so their views on future TB policy are vital.
“The Programme Board has incredibly important work to do in driving forward a route to eradication of this terrible disease, something the future generations of cattle farmers in Wales depend on. In the period from April 2023 to March 2024, over 11,000 cattle were slaughtered because of bovine TB in Wales, a sobering statistic that we cannot allow to continue. In this respect, NFU Cymru continues to call for a comprehensive disease eradication strategy that tackles this disease wherever it exists.
“Three years ago, the NFU Cymru TB Focus Group was formed to help inform our views on TB policy and to identify where improvements could be made to policy without risking disease control.
“We stand ready to use our seat on the Programme Board to take forward the views of our membership to the board, whether those views be from farmers where TB is present on the farm or is threatening at the door.”
“WE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH THE STATUS QUO”
FUW Deputy President and dairy farmer Dai Miles said: “The FUW welcomes the opportunity to have a seat at the table, alongside a team with a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in this field, to tackle the myriad of issues facing Welsh family farms in eradicating bovine TB.
“As a Union, we are keen to play our part on the Eradication Programme Board and work closely with the Technical Advisory Group in reviewing important matters relevant to bovine TB eradication.
FUW’s Deputy President concluded: “As an industry, we can not continue with the status quo. We must grasp this opportunity to work collaboratively to influence and direct change, not only for the present health and well-being of our cattle and farmers but also for our future generations.”
James Evans MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, said: “Whilst this is a positive step, I hope this advisory group can convince the Welsh Government to follow the science.
“Labour’s track record of listening to the scientific evidence is woeful, and the negative impact can be felt across Wales’ rural communities.
“The Labour Welsh Government must follow the expert advice and bring much needed peace of mind to the farming community.”
