Countless phone calls are made during the week on an array of issues, but the topic of TB is one that really is the most difficult.

And after many years in the job, the full implications of a TB breakdown are rarely understood until it is experienced. Seeing cow collars last week on social media from a dairy herd, which had suffered a breakdown is the haunting realisation that those cows have gone. The reality of this is only borne by those in that situation, and getting this across to decision makers is sometimes hard when talking across a table.

The GB Calf Strategy brings together the cattle industry and sets the ambition of rearing all calves with care and eliminating the routine euthanasia of calves on farm. Seeing as bovine TB continues to be huge barrier for farmers achieving this ambition, NFU Cymru recently hosted Welsh Government, APHA, Defra and other industry partners on Deputy President Abi Readers farm just outside of Cardiff to discuss the issue.

During a farm tour, officials were able to witness first-hand the pressures bovine TB puts on a farm. Abi explained how dealing with the ongoing uncertainty impacts decisions about youngstock management and the impact TB can have on wider calf health. During the meeting industry representatives stressed the need for flexibility and urged the government and APHA to do more to support bio-secure units such as Approved Finishing Units (AFUs) to help ensure businesses can survive life under TB restrictions.

As part of the GB calf strategy, NFU Cymru has identified several barriers related to bovine TB which we believe hold industry back from meeting its commitment of raising every calf with care. NFU Cymru discussed with officials the potential for general licences for movements to be introduced for calves moving into AFUs. We believe this would help enable more timely movement of calves, by removing the unnecessary administrative barrier of applying for an individual licence for every animal and controls can be put in place to ensure traceability and disease eradication is not compromised. Progress is being made on this ask and NFU Cymru will continue to press for this change.

I am very glad to hear that the group also discussed increasing the pre-movement testing age threshold for AFU entry from 42 days to 90 days. NFU Cymru believes this change would be beneficial as it would give farmers the flexibility to make management-led decisions which are beneficial to the health and welfare of calves and are economically sustainable. Government analysis suggests the disease risk would be very low if the threshold was increased but officials were keen to understand from industry the appetite for this change and how much difference it would make.

Finally, a huge congratulations to Brecknock YFC who have held their performances over the course of last week. We were lucky to get tickets for the Wednesday evening and it really was a case of ‘Brecknock’s Got Talent’. We thoroughly enjoyed and congratulations to every member and all those involved in putting on a wonderful week of performances.