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Bovine TB board established in Wales
“Since my appointment I have been keen to meet farmers, vets and industry and listened to their concerns regarding the burden and anxieties of TB” – Huw Irranca-Davies.
Chief vet and BVA representative set to be among members.

The Welsh government has established a new Bovine TB Eradication Programme Board to provide strategic advice to the cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs.

Board members are yet to be confirmed, but will be largely made up of farmers and people from farming background. The board will be chaired by a farmer.

There will also be representatives from the British Veterinary Association Welsh Branch, the National Farmers Union Cymru, the Farmers' Union of Wales, the Animal Plant Health Agency, and the Welsh government, alongside the chief veterinary officer for Wales.

The board forms part of a new governance structure set up under the Welsh government's TB Eradication Programme Delivery Plan. A Bovine TB Technical Advisory Group was formed in April.

The first priorities of the board will include considering the Technical Advisory Group’s advice in relation to the six-yearly review of Wales’ TB eradication targets and looking at ways to improve communication and engagement with veterinary surgeons and farmers.

Huw Irranca-Davies, cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, said: “I am particularly happy to make this announcement as it shows our clear commitment to listening to industry and placing partnership working at the very centre of the bovine TB eradication programme.

“Since my appointment I have been keen to meet farmers, vets and industry and listened to their concerns regarding the burden and anxieties of TB. Recognising the impact on farmers, their families and their businesses is at the forefront of my mind.”

Dai Miles, FUW deputy-president and dairy farmer, said: “Whilst we welcome the announcement by Huw Irranca-Davies today, as cattle keepers, we continue to be shackled by this on-going disease.
 
“In 2022, FUW analysis estimated that the total cost of bovine TB pre-movement testing borne by cattle keepers in Wales was more than £2.3 million. A staggering 11,197 animals were slaughtered in the 12 months to March 2024.”
 
He concluded: “As a union, we are keen to play our part and work closely with both the Eradication Programme Board and the Technical Advisory Group in reviewing important matters relevant to bovine TB eradication. These include areas such as the appropriateness of current testing regimes and methods in which disease transmission by wildlife could be addressed.”

Image © Welsh government

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.