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Welsh government to publish bTB farm locations
Cow
The most popular suggestion for publishing the information was on a map on a government website.

Names and addresses will not be published

The locations of farms in Wales infected with bovine tuberculosis (bTB) are set to be published online, the Welsh Government has announced.

In a statement, deputy farming minister Rebecca Evans said that the publication of the data would provide people with information on bovine herds infected with TB, allowing them to take appropriate precautions to protect their own herds from the spread of disease.

"It will also raise awareness of the risk of purchasing animals with hidden infection", she added. "I have taken this decision to support individual farm businesses and help them to minimise the risk of TB affecting their business."

Earlier this year, Rebecca Evans launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010 to allow the government to publish information on cattle herds infected with bovine TB.

There were over 33 responses to the consultation from industry representatives, stakeholder groups, wildlife organisations and individuals directly involved with the cattle industry in Wales.

While the majority (28) agreed with the proposal, there was opposition from the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) who had concerns over the release of personal information and the safety of the individuals that may be identified.

In response, the Welsh Government said that they would undertake a privacy impact assessment for each proposed use of the power, and that names or addressed would not be published.

The most popular suggestion for publishing the information was on a map on a government website. Neighbouring farmers would then recognise farms adjoining them without actually naming the owner of the cattle.

However, there was a disagreement on whether the information should be publicly available or restricted to farmers. Some respondents felt that there was a disease control benefit in allowing vets to access the information on the location of infected cattle.

The South East Wales Regional TB Eradication Delivery Board pointed out that it would also be important “for all vets to be able to access the maps as well. This would help with wider disease control programmes that farmers may discuss with their own vet.”

The Welsh Government say that plans to publish the information are now underway and a further statement will be made in November.

To read the full summary of responses to the consultation, visit http://gov.wales/consultations.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.