Agenda item

Proposer:    Councillor Wyn Evans

Seconder:    Councillor Gareth Lloyd

 

Council notes:

"This council requests that Welsh Government uses the opportunity presented by the revamped Bovine TB eradication strategy to establish its effectiveness in respect of animal welfare (both wildlife and livestock), public health and costs.

 

Persistently high infection levels, its impact on both animal welfare and public health combined with an ever increasing cost to the public purse suggests that existing measures are not fit for purpose.

 

We ask Welsh Government to note and take action on the following points:-

 

Bovine TB is a communicable disease that should be addressed holistically as both a wildlife and farmed animal welfare issue, using a comprehensive suite of measures, guided by the best scientific advice available.

 

The requirement to frequently test cattle raises stress to livestock and presents a high risk of injury and fatalities for those involved in conducting tests for Bovine TB.

 

The continuous failure to address Bovine TB triggers significant levels of mental health issues among farming families and persons in associated roles.

 

Disease outbreaks on holdings need to be dealt with sensitively with effective and simplified communication.

 

The new publicly appointed Programme Board and Technical Advisory Group should have a balanced representation including all impacted stakeholders."

Proposer:  Councillor Wyn Evans

Seconder: Councillor Gareth Lloyd

 

Council notes:

"This council requests that Welsh Government uses the opportunity presented by the revamped Bovine TB eradication strategy to establish its effectiveness in respect of animal welfare (both wildlife and livestock), public health and costs.

 

Persistently high infection levels, its impact on both animal welfare and public health combined with an ever increasing cost to the public purse suggests that existing measures are not fit for purpose.

 

We ask Welsh Government to note and take action on the following points:-

 

Bovine TB is a communicable disease that should be addressed holistically as both a wildlife and farmed animal welfare issue, using a comprehensive suite of measures, guided by the best scientific advice available.

 

The requirement to frequently test cattle raises stress to livestock and presents a high risk of injury and fatalities for those involved in conducting tests for Bovine TB.

 

The continuous failure to address Bovine TB triggers significant levels of mental health issues among farming families and persons in associated roles.

 

Disease outbreaks on holdings need to be dealt with sensitively with effective and simplified communication.

 

The new publicly appointed Programme Board and Technical Advisory Group should have a balanced representation including all impacted stakeholders."

 

Councillor Wyn Evans noted that the Welsh Government’s inability to take a holistic view of the situation is a grave mistake, and that we will be dealing with this disease for decades to come.  He noted that it’s a strain on farmers’ mental health due to the emotional ties with animals and the potential for loss of income and the need for additional resources as the farmer cannot take their animals to market.  He noted that the Welsh Government document is disappointing, and that the issues need to be considered in terms of wildlife as well as vaccinations.  The cull in England has seen a considerable decline in cases, and that there needs to be a scientific solution rather than a political one, with effective and simplified communication being vitally important.

 

Councillor Gareth Lloyd noted that a Notice of Motion was presented to Council on 24 March 2016 on this subject; however there has been more paperwork and bureaucracy introduced during this time.  In 2012, over 9,200 cattle were culled in Wales. In 2022, this figure was 9,500. In Ceredigion, 600 cattle were culled in 2012, with 450 cattle culled in Ceredigion in 2022.  The majority of these were healthy cattle, due to an insufficient testing and inconclusive results.  This disease must be eradicated in order to ensure healthy animals and wildlife.  In 2021, over £30 million was spent by the Welsh Government on their TB programme.

 

Councillor Bryan Davies noted that he agreed with what had been said, noting the civil conditions attached when there are multiple positive results on a farm and the challenges to be removed from these measures.  He also noted that charities such as Tir Dewi, DPJ and Nerth Dy Ben have also demonstrated a connection between cases of TB and mental health.  He also referred to accidents that have occurred during testing, calves close to full-term being aborted and seeing calves kicking in the cow’s womb after the cow has been culled.  He noted that there are plenty of examples of alternative methods, and that it is a matter of controlling nature not eradicating it completely.  It affects the economy, and pressure needs to be placed on the Welsh Government to look at alternative models.

 

Councillor Meirion Davies noted that there haven’t been any clear developments, and that tests often return negative after the animal has been culled.  Compensation is extremely expensive however this does not take into consideration the pride associated with developing a herd over many years.  The cows can get nasty during testing, and accidents including deaths have happened.

 

Councillor Ifan Davies noted that Welsh Government were refusing to accept scientific evidence, taking a political approach whilst overturning their views on plastic grass in a matter of days.  He noted that he has several sets of badgers on his farm, which he takes care of in order to ensure that they remain clear from TB and that healthy wildlife and farm animals can live side-by-side

 

Councillor Keith Evans noted the cost to individual’s mental health and to the agricultural sector.  He asked that Plaid Cymru, who have a cooperation agreement with the Labour Party in Wales put pressure on the relevant authorities.

 

Councillor Rhodri Evans noted that 12 years ago he had a herd of 100 cattle and that he lost 75 of them following one test.  They were culled on the close whilst carrying calves.  Now, if you get one inconclusive test, everything stops, and you cannot sell any.  It is important that there is collaboration within agriculture in order to eradicate TB.

 

Councillor Wyn Evans proposed that there was recorded. This was seconded and agreed unanimously.

 

A recorded vote was taken as agreed and in accordance with Rule 14.5 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Council’s Constitution and that the vote would be for the Notice of Motion, as presented.

 

For: Councillors Bryan Davies, Catrin M S Davies, Clive Davies, Euros Davies, Gareth Davies, Gethin Davies, Ifan Davies, Meirion Davies, Rhodri Davies, Amanda Edwards, Elaine Evans, Elizabeth Evans, Eryl Evans, Gwyn Wigley Evans, Keith Evans, Rhodri Evans, Wyn Evans, Hughes, Chris James, Ceris Jones, Maldwyn Lewis, Gareth Lloyd, Sian Maehrlein, Ann Bowen Morgan, John Roberts, Wyn Thomas, Matthew Vaux, Alun Williams (28);

 

Against: None (0);

 

Abstain: Councillor Carl Worrall (1).

 

Following a recorded vote, it was RESOLVED to agree the Motion as presented.