Farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire have been urged to heighten biosecurity and remain vigilant to protect their livestock and businesses from disease.

This important message was given by NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman Rob Lewis during the latest NFU Cymru Brecon and Radnor County Meeting held at the Royal Welsh Showground on Monday, April 28.

The warning comes amid multiple disease risks at home and abroad threatening the Welsh livestock industry.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Lewis, who farms with his family near Rhayader, highlighted the need for biosecurity to be a priority. He encouraged farmers to speak with their vets and review biosecurity protocols to minimise risk.

“The advice is to act now and speak to your vet to ensure you’re doing the best for your farm,” he said.

“Please be aware that any visitors to your farm should be disinfecting, whether it be farm workers, neighbours, vets or inspectors.”

“Everyone should be practising and adhering to good biosecurity measures - we all need to do our bit and set a good example,” he added.

Members were also updated on key disease risks. NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader urged members to carry out their herd’s annual Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) screening test before the Tuesday, July 1 deadline and encouraged farmers to speak with their vets to conduct the BVD test alongside their TB testing, where possible.

Ms Reader also alerted members that while Wales hasn’t seen a case of avian influenza this winter, the country remained in an Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) as a result of the high risk of disease incursion. She also commented on the hard work the poultry industry had undertaken to implement mitigation measures and the need to continue with stringent biosecurity measures on farm. With the warmer weather now upon us, members were further warned of the growing threat of bluetongue in Wales and to remain vigilant for any signs of the disease.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an infectious, non-contagious, vector-borne viral disease. It affects wild and domestic ruminants such as sheep, goats, cattle, deer and camelids. It does not infect humans.

Members present at the meeting were also told about NFU Cymru’s work lobbying UK Government for tighter border controls following foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Germany, Slovakia and Hungary.

Ms Reader also updated members on a number of broader issues which were affecting the farming industry. She discussed the continued work of lobbying Welsh MPs following the UK Government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax and informed members the union continued to engage regularly with Welsh Government in regard to the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Brecon and Radnor County Chair, Rob Powell thanked everyone for attending the meeting at the Royal Welsh Showground.

“It is fantastic to see a good turnout here and I’d like to thank Abi Reader for joining us at this meeting,” said Mr Powell

“To reiterate the main message; we must lead by example with biosecurity and be sure to set a precedent for others to follow.”