Huw Irranca-Davies, 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.