Following today’s (Wednesday 15th February) Ministerial Question session with the Rural Affairs Minister, the Welsh Conservatives have called for a change in the bovine TB slaughter policy for in-calf heifers and cows.
Samuel Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, questioned the Welsh Government over their “inhumane and heartless” slaughter policy for TB-positive in-calf heifers and cows.
During the session, Mr Kurtz spoke of one Welsh farmer's anguish, following a positive TB test, having to slaughter their pregnant cow whilst her unborn calf suffocated inside her mother’s womb.
That same farmer spoke of how in a post-death spasm, the cow destroyed a heavy farm gate. They described the slaughter as: “something akin to watching someone die from poison; it was horrendous to see and clearing up all the blood and smashed gate after was just as punishing”.
In response to Mr Kurtz’s plea for a change in slaughter policy, Welsh Government Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths MS said she was willing to reconsider the in-calf cow and heifer slaughter guidance issued to Welsh farmers.
Speaking outside the Senedd’s chamber, Samuel Kurtz MS said:
“Every week, Welsh farmers are having to slaughter their own in-calf cows and heifers, on farm, in front of the rest of their herd. This inhumane and heartless policy puts immeasurable mental stress on our farmers and can’t be the best way of doing it, despite the Minister’s reply.
“There is no compassion in this act; not for the cow, the calf and certainly not for the farmer. If the Welsh Government were serious about the wellbeing of both farmers and animals, then they would change this policy at the earliest opportunity.
“I’m pleased the Rural Affairs Minister is willing to work with the industry to reconsider this slaughter guidance.”
