Policymakers, vets, researchers, farmers and industry representatives from across the UK and Ireland gathered at Aberystwyth University this week to discuss strategies for controlling and eradicating bovine tuberculosis.
The annual AberTB conference was hosted by the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis and VetHub1 at Aberystwyth University.
This year’s conference examined bovine TB policy across the four UK nations and Ireland, bringing together experts to discuss emerging evidence, compare approaches and examine the challenges and opportunities involved in controlling and eradicating the disease.
Opening addresses were given by Llyr Gruffydd MS, Welsh Government Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability and Professor Glyn Hewinson, Director of the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis.
Other expert speakers included Chief and Deputy Chief Veterinary Officers, government advisors, and leading TB academics.
Attendees also heard updates about projects in Pembrokeshire and North Wales, which are supported by Aberystwyth University and are trialling tools and approaches that bring farmers and vets together to take action tailored to individual herds. The projects aim to identify and manage TB risks in cattle, improve biosecurity, and protect herds and businesses from the disease.
Professor Glyn Hewinson, Director of the Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis at Aberystwyth University, said:
“Bovine TB remains one of the most complex animal health challenges facing the UK and Ireland. Addressing it requires not only scientific innovation but also close collaboration between governments, researchers, veterinarians and farmers.
“AberTB provides a valuable opportunity to compare policy approaches, share emerging evidence and learn from experiences across different regions. By bringing together expertise from across the livestock, veterinary, research and policy communities, we can help ensure that future decisions are informed by the best available evidence and focused on achieving lasting progress.”
The Sêr Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis at Aberystwyth University was established in 2018 to provide a strong scientific evidence base to support the eradication of the disease and to develop research expertise in Wales.
