Bovine Tuberculosis

In March 2012 I was notified that one of our cows looked like she had bovine TB in her organs after slaughter

UFU president David Brown said: "We made a strong case against proposed TB livestock valuation cuts and underlined the crucial difference between compensation and valuations. We stressed that these cuts would alienate farmers

Although new in my job as Biosecurity Minister, I do not need to be told what a tragedy bovine TB has been for British farming

The Department for Agriculture, environment and rural affairs have issued a proposal to reduce the compensation rate for cattle removed under the bovine Tuberculosis programme

Normally the family aim to milk a herd of around 120 cows, but at the moment they are only milking 70 cows

The proposal put forward by the Welsh Government, was opposed by FUW members due to factors such as cost, the impracticalities of attempting to pasteurise, and the welfare benefits of colostrum

It is that time of year again. I do not mean the festive season, but that time when your heart is in your mouth as the callipers squeeze what looks like a bottom lump on a cow when having your six-monthly bTB test.

As the Royal Welsh Winter Fair comes to a close, signalling the beginning of the festive season where we can safely eat a mince pie without fear of judgement, it is important to reflect on the event and highlight the many challenges currently facing Wales’ rural communities and farming industries.

Dr Richard Irvine, who started the role in March 2023, said an expected assessment of the bTB target next year will serve as a ‘formal checkpoint' and an opportunity to ‘take stock' on the issue

The Government's commitment to continue with the badger cull has been criticised by NFU as 'just warm words' which must be backed up in writing with a policy change