1. How does the Welsh Government communicate with farmers regarding potential TB breakdown situations? OQ57349

Thank you. The Government communicates with farming businesses through regular correspondence and information releases, including updates on disease incidence and trend by area. Farmers are offered Cymorth TB veterinary advice visits and are encouraged to use online services such as the TB dashboard and ibTB to better understand the risk to their businesses.

Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I'm sure, like me, Minister, you can understand the huge concern and anxiety that a farming business and family face when they receive a letter from the Animal and Plant Health Agency concerning TB testing and restrictions on their herd and farm. My specific question is concerning farming families wrongly receiving letters from APHA informing them that they've not completed TB testing, when in fact, the appropriate testing has been carried out. Often, letters are sent wrongly due to miscommunication between veterinary practices and APHA. So, can I ask, Minister, that you and officials have a look at this process? I would suggest that APHA communicate with veterinary practices for confirmation and clarification before letters are sent out, in that way causing unnecessary stress and anxiety for farmers, and that being avoided in the first place. I wonder if the Minister could comment on whether she's aware of this particular issue and whether she'd be happy to re-look at that process.

Thank you, and I absolutely understand the stress and distress that that would cause a farmer and his or her family. I don't believe it's a widespread issue that you refer to, but of course, I'd be very happy to ask the chief veterinary officer and her team of officials to have a look into it.