The pace at which Wales is progressing legislation for the control of Bovine Viral Diarrohea (BVD) has been criticised following a statement by Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths in the Senedd yesterday (Tuesday, January 31).
Speaking to the Welsh parliament, Griffiths provided an update on progress controlling the disease, which she said “we must make every effort to eradicate”.
She highlighted the work of the voluntary Gwaredu BVD programme, outlining that it has screened over 9,163 herds, representing over 83% of the cattle herds in Wales, and identified over 1,000 permanently infected animals over its course.
“I’ve always been clear: Legislation would be considered following a successful voluntary phase and subject to appropriate evidence being provided to both shape and justify legislative control,” she continued.
A consultation was launched last June on proposal for a compulsary programme, and received over 100 responses and confirmed a desire for more stringent measures, according to Griffiths, “with the majority supporting the introduction of legislation and compulsory requirements to effectively eradicate BVD in Wales”.
“We listened to feedback, and as we enter the transition phase and prepare for future legislation, it is vital that keepers continue testing their herds against BVD and remove persistently infected animals as soon as feasibly possible,” she added.
However, no specific details were given on the next steps – albeit Griffiths did mention intentions – and this was not welcomed by Plaid Cymru member of the Senedd for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor, who said: “Although I welcome the ambition here, there is a very real risk that we will lose momentum unless we see a bill introduced to this place.
“The only real way of ensuring the continued success of this programme is through legislating, as we’ve heard.
“We need legislation in order to ensure that farmers continue to test. That’s what I, vets and farmers were hoping to hear today.
“I know that vets and farmers listening will be very frustrated indeed today, because where is the detail about the next phase?”
This sentiment was echoed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), which issued a statement following the Senedd discussion.
FUW deputy head of policy, Dr. Hazel Wright said: “We welcome recognition by the minister that national co-ordination is required for widespread BVD eradication.
“However, the FUW has been clear from the start of the voluntary Rural Development Programme-funded Gwaredu BVD programme that any gains made during the voluntary phase could be lost if there is a significant gap between the end of the voluntary programme and the onset of legislation.”
Wright added that a gap between voluntary and mandatory testing programmes will lead to a “decline in the level of annual screens being conducted”.
“It is therefore extremely frustrating that the Gwaredu BVD scheme ended in December 2022 without any firm plans for the start of a legislative programme,” she added.
Response
Minister Griffiths responded to Mabon ap Gwynfor in the Sennedd
“I’m disappointed to hear your disappointment, Mabon, because, as I said, we’ve made some significant progress—over 80% of herds have been tested while we’ve had the compulsory scheme,” she said.
She said legislation would “indeed” be going ahead, but not first without the evidence needed.
And regarding a timescale, she said it will be “within the next financial year that we will bring the legislation forward”.
