Post-Brexit trade at 'significant risk' if bovine TB eradication programme does not change

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has called for a cross party debate at the Welsh Assembly to discuss the need for a change to the current bovine TB eradication programme.

The Union says that unless "urgent and proactive" action is taken to manage the source of infection in both cattle and wildlife, post Brexit trade negotiations could be put at "significant" risk.

The debate is therefore seen as an opportunity for cross-party co-operation on an issue which has significant emotional and financial implications for many farmers in Wales.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said the eradication of Bovine TB is "uppermost" in farmers concerns.

"The game has changed due to trade negotiations issue, previous plans to eradicate the disease are not fit for future"

"Our belief is that current levels of Bovine TB in Wales are in excess of what will be acceptable to other EU countries when we are outside the single market," said Mr Roberts.

"Our current status has the potential to be a challenging negotiation tool, especially given the the vacuum created by post vaccination failure.

"We can’t help but notice the difference in approach and understanding when we compare our own policies to those implemented in England.

'Must be a change in policy'

"While we note that the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, plans to make a statement in the autumn, the Union stresses the point that she needs to recognise that the game has changed due to the trade negotiations issue and that previous plans to eradicate the disease are not fit for the future," Mr Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said stringent cattle controls and additional biosecurity cannot, in isolation, fully eradicate Bovine TB.

"There must be a change of policy to more thoroughly address the wildlife source of infection," he said.

Alongside stressing the importance of maintaining good post Brexit trade relations, the FUW’s call for cross party action, possibly through an Individual Members debate, also asks Assembly Members to recognise that a Bovine TB breakdown can cause many indirect losses to farm businesses, such as the loss of breeding lines.

The Farmers Union of Wales has subsequently also called for current cattle compensation levels to be protected.