Wales' largest farming union has warned that efforts to eradicate bovine TB must accelerate, despite recent policy changes introduced by the Welsh Government.

NFU Cymru says while it welcomes progress in partnership working and policy reform, the pace and scale of action remain insufficient to tackle the "turmoil" caused by the disease across Welsh farms.

The update, presented by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies on Tuesday, May 13, highlighted several positive initiatives in the ongoing battle against bTB. However, NFU Cymru stressed that more needs to be done to address the suffering of farming families who continue to deal with the emotional and financial consequences of the disease.

NFU Cymru’s Bovine TB Focus Group Chairman, Roger Lewis, welcomed the new governance structures for bTB, which now involve direct collaboration between Welsh Government, farmers, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). He also pointed to changes in on-farm slaughter policies, allowing farmers to delay the removal of pregnant cattle. This has resulted in the delayed slaughter of 242 animals in 111 herds since the policy's introduction.

Mr Lewis said: “We understand that the increase in the number of cattle slaughtered as reactors in 2024 - over 13,000 and the most ever in a 12-month period - is partly due to an increase in the sensitivity of testing because of the use of more gamma interferon tests. However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that behind these statistics there are farmers and their families who are suffering.”

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies acknowledged the deep distress caused by bTB in his Senedd statement, noting the rise in cattle slaughter figures in 2024. He explained that the increase was due to the more sensitive gamma interferon test, which is improving detection rates and aims to reduce future infection.

“TB has a devastating impact on farming families dealing with the disease in their herds and we recognise there is regional variation in the disease picture across Wales,” he said.

“While we're seeing long-term decreases in new TB herd incidents overall, the rise in cattle slaughtered during 2024 reflects strategic use of the high-sensitivity gamma interferon blood test alongside standard testing, to identify infected animals in breakdown herds. Whilst this increases removal numbers, the aim is to reduce infection rates and prevent recurring breakdowns.”

Further policy changes were also announced, particularly regarding Inconclusive Reactor (IR) cattle. These animals, which previously showed mixed test results, will now face restricted movements, with only licensed removals allowed, to prevent the spread of undetected infection.

“Under the new arrangements, these (resolved standard IR) cattle will be restricted to their herd with only licenced movements permitted direct to slaughter, or into an Approved Finishing Unit. I anticipate this policy change will take effect from this autumn,” said Mr Irranca-Davies.

Mr Lewis added: "We await further details from Welsh Government on how this policy will work in practise and stand ready to play our part in ensuring this change - and the science that sits behind it - is communicated effectively to industry.”