The latest Bovine TB policy and governance updates.
Contents
Governance
Our TB policy and programme documentation
Our bovine TB Eradication policy and delivery plan sets out how we intend to eradicate the disease by 2041. To view this document please click on the link below:
Wales Bovine TB eradication programme: delivery plan 2023 | GOV.WALES
Technical Advisory Group
The group provides independent, expert advice to Welsh Government on the TB eradication programme.
On 17 April 2024 the Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group (TAG) met for the first time and discussed on-farm slaughter as their first priority.
Their recommendations were accepted in full by the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales and the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. As a result there were immediate changes made to the on-farm slaughter policy from 17 May (see policy section further down the page).
The TAG will meet quarterly and provide advice to Welsh Ministers through the forthcoming TB Programme Board. In the interim, until the Programme Board is established, advice will come via our chief veterinary officer.
For more information on the TAG and to view the minutes from meetings see Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group for Wales.
Programme Board
The Programme Board will provide strategic recommendations to us on bovine TB, using advice from the TAG.
Recruitment for the Programme Board is currently taking place and we hope to announce more in the near future.
We need to ensure we have the right skill set on the Programme Board in terms of our stakeholder involvement. This will help ensure effective partnership working and a ground up approach to our TB eradication programme in Wales.
The Programme Board will need to consider new ways for engaging with industry, farmers and other stakeholders.
Policy
In the past 12 months we have listened to feedback and have brought in the following policy changes:
Changing testing requirements for calves under 42 days old
Through the Pembrokeshire Project, with funding from us, new governance arrangements for TB eradication at a local level are being explored. They empower vets and farmers to make informed decisions and show leadership in disease control.
Its aim is to work on a small sample of farms in Pembrokeshire, empowering vets and farmers to make informed decisions and show leadership in disease control. It will develop and bring in extra approaches to bovine TB control, over and above the statutory measures currently used.
A positive start has been made, with:
- the completion of a successful series of vet training events (in person on farm and virtual)
- recruitment of participating farms with initial analysis of herd testing history to identify high risk animals and assess biosecurity standards
A social science study will be conducted to better understand vet and farmer attitudes to TB before and after participation.
We hope to learn from this project and encourage other areas to adopt similar engagement and co-production techniques.
Contact details
If you have any queries around governance or new policies, please contact the Bovine TB team using the following email: BovineTB@gov.wales
If you have any queries around the delivery of existing policies in Wales, please contact the Animal and Plant Health agency using the details below:
Telephone: 0300 303 8268
Email: APHA.CymruWales@apha.gsi.gov.uk
Website: Animal and Plant Health Agency