by Meyrick Brown

NEW incidents of TB in cattle are currently at a ten year low the chief veterinary officer for Wales, Professor Christianne Glossop told the county conference of Pembrokeshire NFU.

She accepted that there was also an increase in cattle being slaughtered but stressed that, although this was still a cause for concern, it did not indicate a worsening situation but reflected the use of an improved gamma interferon blood test and more severe interpretation of the skin test.

“In Wales, the number of new incidents recorded has reduced by 47% in eight years through application of increased testing frequency, improved biosecurity and other cattle control measures alone. However, it is recognised that in a number of long term TB breakdowns the disease picture points to a real wildlife reservoir of infection,” Professor Glossop told the conference at the Nant-y-Ffin Motel, Llandissilio.

Urging local farmers to continue to work together with the veterinary profession to eliminate the disease she insisted that, whilst there still appeared to be a very long way to go, new incidents of TB in cattle were presently at a ten year low.

Positive proposals recently announced by cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs Lesley Griffiths have called for a measured response to controlling the disease in wildlife in Wales by focusing on these persistent TB breakdowns, and where it can be objectively proven badgers are infected, the aim is to target infected groups which will be trapped and humanely killed.

The chief vet was able to report that work has already started to develop bespoke action plans for each herd, including addressing any wildlife contribution to the problem.

“We all fully recognise bovine TB has a significant financial and social impact on farm businesses and the wider rural economy," she said.

"While it is encouraging to see the number of new herd incidents falling, even in our highest incidence areas, I recognise this is of little comfort to the farms currently suffering yet another breakdown. This is why we are focusing our efforts on eliminating the disease in affected herds."

Prof Glossop also referred to the incidence of avian flu amongst backyard poultry in West Wales and said that her officers had recently been alarmed to discover that, despite an official ban on shows of any kind and warnings that all poultry should be kept indoors, an exhibition of caged birds had taken place near Carmarthen and the organisers had appeared oblivious to the disease restrictions that were in force.

The conference, which was sponsored by HSBC Bank and included a report by Sarah Raymond, area agricultural manager, was chaired by Jeff Evans and a vote of thanks proposed by Clare Morgan.