NFU Cymru is urging farmers to participate in the Welsh government’s ‘badger found dead survey’ which continues to be in operation across Wales.
The call comes after the most recent published figures by Welsh Government show that 725 of badgers found dead were tested in Wales, in the period September 2014 to August 2017.
NFU Cymru says the survey is important so that an accurate picture of the disease in wildlife across Wales is built up.
In a joint statement, Wyn Evans, NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman and Gareth Richards NFU Cymru Milk Board Chairman said tat surveillance is “essential” in any disease control programme and bovine TB is “no different”.
They said: “Bovine TB continues to cause heartache for farming families across Wales therefore we strongly encourage our members and the general public to participate in this survey to help build up an accurate picture of the disease in Wales.
“It is important to build up a picture of where diseased wildlife are playing a part in the transmission of this disease and also crucially where wildlife are healthy and therefore not implicated in cattle herd breakdowns.”
The Wales Veterinary Science Centre in Aberystwyth has been commissioned by Welsh Government to test for TB in badgers found dead.
Those who find a badger carcass are urged to participate in the survey by reporting the location on 08081 695110.
Ideally a six figure grid reference is required and there are apps that can be used to obtain this, for example, OS Maps.
Alternatively a road name or number can be phoned in, but it would also be useful to state on which side of the road it was and to note any significant landmarks nearby.
NFU Cymru continues to lobby government about the importance of eradicating this disease from Wales through the implementation of a comprehensive programme of measures in Wales.