Welsh farmers recognised for bravery in face of bovine TB

A dairy farming couple, who helped change rules surrounding the on-farm slaughter of TB-positive cattle in Wales after sharing their harrowing story in a documentary, have won an award for their “bravery and strength”.

The raw emotion of Wyn and Enid Davies’ experience of having 27 of their cattle shot on-farm at Castell Howell, Capel Isaac, was captured in the S4C programme, Ffermio.

See also: Welsh unions welcome on-farm TB slaughter rule changes

Following the appointed of Huw Irranca-Davies as Wales’ rural affairs secretary, the Welsh government has changed the rules to give farmers the option to delay removing infected cows or heifers in the last 60 days of pregnancy, or if have given birth in the past seven days.

The option to delay reactor removal if the animal is very close to the end of a drug withdrawal period was also introduced on a case-by-case basis.

Mr and Mrs Davies received the annual Bob Davies Memorial Award after speaking out about their experience.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales award, in memory of Farmers Weekly’s Wales correspondent Bob Davies, is awarded annually to an individual or group that has raised the public profile of Welsh farming.

Mrs Davies said she hoped that sharing the story of what had happened on her farm would help others.

“We wouldn’t wish anyone to go through what we’ve been through, and hope that by showing what happened to us, we might help other farmers and families feel less alone,” she said.