Bovine TB levels endanger Welsh beef exports
In the year to April 2019, Welsh national herd has lost 12,000 cattle due to bovine TB, which represents a 19% increase compared to the previous 12 months. At this time, the incidence of bovine TB is about 5%, a fact that may endanger future trade deals for red meat and dairy producers, according to Farmers Weekly.
Dr. Hazel Wright, policy officer at the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), said that as a country trading with the EU after Brexit, the level of TB in the Welsh herd would need to be 0.1% for six consecutive years.
According to FUW managing director Alan Davies, that disease level has the potential to put all red meat and dairy trade with Europe at risk after Brexit.
“In a no-deal situation, negotiations are likely to be more hard-nosed,” he said. At this time, 90% of the Welsh red meat exports are shipped to the EU.
On the other hand, Wales’ chief veterinary officer, Christianne Glossop, said the FUW’s claims about future trade were unfounded.
She insisted that meat from farms in Wales with TB is currently not exported and that would continue to be the case after the UK leaves the European Union.
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