Farming
BTB vaccination programme not producing benefits
LEADING experts on bovine TB met in Cardiff this week for a major international conference.
The VI International Mycobacterium bovis Conference was hosted by the British Cattle Veterinary Association and will take place from June 16 to 19. Attendees discussed the wide-ranging themes and issues associated with bovine TB control throughout the world. Carl Padgett, chairman of the conference and a former President of the British Veterinary Association, said the conference would build on the success of the last conference which was held in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2009. Mr Padgett said: “The antipodean feel of the last conference was influenced by the success stories of local control programmes identifying pointers for policy development and further research required in attempting to deliver similar successes in other countries. “This conference provides the contrasting backdrop of increasing bTB prevalence in British cattle herds where there is a need to apply the results of such research in the formulation of policies that must lead to practical, deliverable programmes.” A new theme that has been added to this year’s conference will look at the practical delivery of disease control programmes and will feature examples from New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and Wales. Other topics that will be covered during the conference include progress in TB control, diagnosis, vaccination, wildlife reservoirs, and policy legislation and regulation. “This is an exciting programme offering something for everyone with an interest in bTB. It maintains the original values of the M bovis Conference that have seen it grow into the globally significant event it has now become,” Mr Padgett said. The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Christianne Glossop said: “TB is one of the most serious animal health issues faced in Wales, and we have a commitment to eradicate this disease once and for all. “We recognise that eradication of bovine TB from Wales is a long term objective, and that new innovations across a range of disciplines including diagnostics, vaccination and genetics will come on line as we progress towards our goal. We stand ready to embrace new technologies as they become available, as we work in partnership with our farmers, the veterinary profession and others working in the agricultural industry.” Dr Paul Livingstone QSO of New Zealand will address the conference on how his country has successfully reduced the incidence of bovine TB. “New Zealand has focussed on eliminating TB from the main disease source, possums. Wild animals are the cause of around 70 per cent of new cattle and deer herd infections in TB risk areas,” said Dr Livingstone. He will discuss the measures used in New Zealand to control the disease, which have led to the national pest management plan’s objective of eradicating TB. “The three-pronged approach of wild animal control, disease management and movement restrictions has made significant progress in our battle against TB. As a result, New Zealand’s tactics in managing the disease are considered world leading,” said Dr Livingstone. With little taste in the political classes for controlling wildlife as a disease vector, the Welsh Government is halfway through a £4.6m badger vaccination scheme in North Pembrokeshire. Interviewed by the BBC ahead of the conference, Christianne Glossop said: “The reduction in north Pembrokeshire is in line with the national reduction, so right now, we have no evidence that the vaccination programme in badgers is delivering an additional benefit.” Before going on to claim: “We’ve completed two years and we’re now well into year three, and so the results are by no means available yet.”
Farming
Welsh Government could overturn Ceredigion cattle breeder’s house plans
A CEREDIGION councillor-backed scheme by one of the top breeders of Limousin cattle in the UK to build a home near Lampeter could be overturned following a call for it to be decided by Welsh Government, planners heard.
At the October meeting of Ceredigion County Council’s development management committee, the application, by Mr and Mrs Dylan Davies for a four-bedroom rural enterprise workers’ dwelling at Blaenffynnon, Llanwnnen, Lampeter, where they run a calving and cattle rearing business, was backed despite an officer recommendation for refusal.
One of the issues in the report for members was the financial test of whether the scheme was affordable, based on an estimate the building would cost some £292,000 to construct; at a 25-year mortgage amounting to £20,400 a year.
The size of the proposed building – which the applicants say include a need to entertain and occasionally accommodate clients – was also given as a reason for failing the TAN6 policy test, being larger than affordable housing guidance, at 202 square metres rather than a maximum of 136.
Members have previously heard the applicant breeds high-value show cattle for embryo transplanting at the well-established business, with one bull alone selling for £32,000 last year.
It had previously been recommended for refusal at the September meeting, but was deferred for a ‘cooling-off’ period to seek further details along with potential changes to the size of the scheme.
At the October meeting, members backed approval despite officers saying the size proposed could actually include a two-person bungalow in addition to the normal maximal ‘affordable’ size.
At the start of the November meeting, members heard a request for the scheme to be ‘called-in’ for Welsh Government final decision had been made, meaning Ceredigion planners’ approval could potentially be overturned if the ‘call-in’ is agreed.
Farming
Welsh Government pressed on impact of new farming tax
THE Welsh Government have been urged to clarify how many farms in Wales will be affected by the Family Farm Tax.
The calls come after farming unions rebuked claims from the UK Labour Government and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens that only a minority of farmers will be affected by the new inheritance tax rules.
The UK Labour Government has come under heavy criticism following the announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that farmers would have to pay a 20% tax on farms worth more than £1m.
When questioned on Sunday Politics about the potential impact of the new tax laws on Welsh Farmers, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens claimed that “Three quarters of farmers will be unaffected”.
The treasury has yet to publish an estimate around the impact that the new tax laws will have on Welsh farms.
Both the FUW and NFU Cymru have expressed their concerns at the changes made by the UK Government, stating that it will cause “lasting damage to Welsh farming.”
The Welsh Lib Dems have now called on the Welsh Government to clarify how many farms in Wales will be impacted by the new Family Farm Tax rules.
Party leader Jane Dodds MS has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies to express her concern over the “untold damage that farming communities throughout Wales will face as a consequence of the UK Government’s most recent budget”.
In the same letter, Jane Dodds MS pressed Mr Irranca-Davies to confirm how many Welsh farms will be affected by the new inheritance laws.
“We cannot afford to leave our farming communities in the dark when it comes to the impact of this potentially devasting new tax law” said Jane Dodds MS.
Both our farmers and the Welsh Public deserve to know the truth that lies behind Labour’s claims that only a small amount of farmers will be impacted by the Family Farm Tax. Claims that, I should add, have already been disputed by both NFU Cymru and the FUW.
The uncertainty surrounding these new inheritance laws will place more unnecessary pressure on farmers across Wales, many of whom are already struggling under a cloud of financial pressures.”
Farming
Pembrokeshire farmer’s award for outstanding service to Welsh dairy industry
DAIRY farmer, Stephen James, from Gelliolau farm in Clunderwen, Pemborkeshire has been presented the FUW Outstanding Service to the Welsh Dairy Industry award at the Welsh Dairy Show 2024 in Carmarthen.
Presenting Stephen with the award will be FUW President Ian Rickman during the Welsh Dairy Show held at the United Counties Showground in Nantyci, Carmarthen on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
Ian Rickman, FUW President said: “The judging panel were delighted with the nominations this year, but Stephen’s diligent and relentless work for over 20 years representing the industry in a public role on the issue of Bovine TB in particular placed him on top.
“A worthy winner, Stephen has used his own experience of dealing with TB on his own farm business, having been in and out of restrictions for over a quarter of a century, to highlight the main issues that affect Welsh farmers, publicly.”
Stephen is Chairman of the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework a position he has held since July 2018. As Chairman, working closely with Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Stephen works to make improvements in standards of animal health and welfare across Wales.
He has also been a leading figure in representing the concerns of Welsh farming to the Government. As an industry representative on the Welsh Government TB programme board, he has undertaken countless bilingual media interviews to local, national and international broadcasters. He highlights the impact the disease has on farming families and the need for the Welsh Government to implement a Comprehensive TB Eradication Strategy.
On winning the award, Stephen James said: “Receiving this award is a huge privilege. It was quite a shock to hear the news. I am extremely grateful to receive the award, especially at an event that is so close to my heart and is so important to the milk sector in Wales. Thank you so much for the honour.”
Stephen James has held a wide range of positions within NFU Cymru from Local Branch Chairman to President (2014 – 2018). He has worked on a number of significant policy areas including the Common Agricultural Policy Reform and Brexit, dairy issues and an influential figure during the trying times of the 2012 milk crisis. Stephen, alongside other UK farming union leaders, addressed the July 2012 dairy farmers Westminster Hall Rally.
Passionate about supporting the next generation of farmers, Stephen shared the responsibility for his farm business at Gelliolau to his son, Daniel, at a young age. He has been heavily involved with the Wales Young Farmers, both locally and nationally holding a number of positions including Pembrokeshire County Chairman, Pembrokeshire County President and Wales YFC Council member.
A long standing member of First Milk and a Director and past Chairman of Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers, he truly believes in the values and principles of co-operative organisations.
He is former President of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, a President and active Board Member of Clunderwen Show Society, a past Chair of Clunderwen Community Council and member and past Chairman of Narberth Grassland Society. Stephen James is also a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies.
Ian Rickman concluded: “Stephen James has truly made an outstanding contribution to the Welsh Dairy Industry. We are delighted to present him with this FUW award in recognition of the years of work he has carried out on behalf of Welsh farmers. On behalf of the FUW, I congratulate and thank Stephen for his work.”
-
Business7 days ago
Original Factory Shop to close Haverfordwest branch in December
-
News3 days ago
Pembrokeshire masseuse shortlisted for National UK Beauty Awards 2025
-
Top News2 days ago
Pembrokeshire cottage industry receives UK’s most prestigious business accolade
-
News3 days ago
‘Chariots of Fire’ Olympic pianist heads west for recital in local church
-
News4 days ago
Milford Haven RNLI Fundraisers celebrate successful fun run
-
News4 days ago
Lifeboat launched to assist injured climber at St Govans
-
News3 days ago
Ferry diverts to aid yacht after medical emergency alert in Irish Sea
-
Top News3 days ago
“The sense of power and the great surge of energy that this earth provides is all I want my paintings to share”