Farm gets brucellosis all-clear

MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS on a north Wales dairy farm have been lifted after brucellosis tests proved to be negative.

Blood samples were taken from dairy cows after organisms were picked up during a routine bulk milk screening test, suggesting there was brucellosis in the herd.

But four weeks after restrictions were placed on the unnamed farm, the Welsh Assembly has confirmed that the farm has been declared free of the disease.

Although the news is a relief to farmers in the region, the testing method has been described as out-dated by the deputy president of NFU Cymru, Dai Davies.

Brucellosis has not been a major problem on mainland Britain in recent years but the threat of the disease is still an issue, he says.

“The testing regime has changed very little in the last 40 years. In these modern times I think a case can be made for a more sophisticated test,’” says Mr Davies.

“It is a huge burden for a farmer when he is under restriction. If the test could be speeded up then it would certainly help alleviate some of that worry.’”