Influential global bovine TB conference comes to Wales
17 Jun 2014 03:37 PM
International experts in animal disease will
gather in Cardiff as of yesterday for a major international conference that
will look at the global problem of bovine TB.
The
sixth International Mycobacterium bovis conference is being held at
Cardiff’s City Hall and will include scientific experts and delegates
from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Ethiopia.
The
Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies has welcomed the event to
Wales, describing it as recognition of Wales’ position at the forefront
of international efforts to fight bovine TB.
Alun Davies said:
“Bovine TB is one of the most serious animal
health problems facing Wales and an issue that the Welsh Government takes very
seriously. It has been at the top of our agenda for ten years now.
“Our eradication programme is based on solid
evidence, takes a comprehensive approach to tackling the disease and involves
dealing with all sources of infection. Recent stats demonstrate the
impressive success that that these measures are now having in combatting the
disease.
“Bovine TB in Wales has significantly reduced and
new incidents of the disease are down by nearly a quarter on the previous
year.
“However we are in no way resting on our laurels.
As well as providing an opportunity for us share our programme with
international experts, the conference will enable us to learn from other
countries that have had real success in dealing with this disease.
“
Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Christianne
Glossop stressed that the impact of bovine TB extends far wider than the
farming community and said that it was in everyone’s interest for
Wales to maintain its progress in tackling the disease.
She
said:
“I am delighted that this prestigious
conference has come to Wales. Not only is it recognition of our hard work,
it also provides another opportunity to highlight the issue of
bovine TB with Wales’ non farming community.
“This debate has to move on from the binary
portrayal of farmers versus animal rights activists. Bovine TB is a problem
that affects everyone and given the social, emotional and financial impact of
the disease, it is vital that we all work together in
cooperation to ensure its eradication.
“We know we can beat TB. Other countries have done
it but it is going to be a long haul and this conference, and the opportunity
it provides for us to learn from the experiences of others, is another
important milestone in our journey towards a TB
Professor Glyn Hewinson, lead TB Scientist at AHVLA
said:
“This is the sixth in a line of conferences that
were put together under the guiding principle that successful TB eradication is
a balance of science, compliance, finance and appropriate control
strategies.
“These events provide a unique opportunity for the
international community to come together every few years in order to share
ideas, help facilitate the co-ordination of research among par¬ticipating
countries and foster co-ordination and collaboration between policy makers,
epidemiologists, scientists and economists.”
The
Mycobacterium bovis conference is being jointly hosted by the Welsh Government,
the BCVA, Defra and the AHVLA and is taking place between Monday 16th and
Thursday 19th June.
It
will feature a selection of highly regarded speakers who will present on
subjects including TB epidemiology, vaccination, social science and economics,
innovations, wildlife policy and practical delivery options.