THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 20 2017
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15 News bovine tuberculosis
to tackle bovine TB on scientific evidence. Whatever decision is made, it is crucial that farmers’ views are listened to and addressed as they will have to implement the policy and will need support to do so. “It is welcome that the link
between the disease in wildlife and in cattle is being recognised and that measures are being taken to address the policy vacuum that has been in place. It needs to be ensured that the measures taken are targeted, effective and humane. “We do not yet know the detail of
the Labour Government’s proposals for dealing with the link between the disease in wildlife and cattle, only that in high TB areas, it will ‘explore and develop ways to break the transmission cycle between cattle and badgers where it can be demonstrated badgers are contributing to the problem in chronic herd breakdowns’. “I have asked the Cabinet
Secretary in Committee what this means. She suggested that on those farms which have had a long history of chronic breakdowns, badgers may be trapped, tested and, if carrying TB,
culled. I would support this. “There is no evidence to date that
the large scale badger culls in England are reducing the prevalence of the disease. There would be a great deal of public opposition in Wales to such culling also. I hope that a majority would agree that the evidence shows that those farms which have followed every biosecurity rule over the years and yet still see TB breakdowns deserve particular attention. “There has been a mixed response
from respondents to proposals to split Wales into low TB areas, intermediate
TB areas and high TB areas with different approaches to tackling the problem. However, Plaid Cymru has welcomed recognition that a regional approach is needed to tackle the problem as instances of TB infection in cattle have stayed persistently high in West Wales. We have long advocated a toolkit of measures to deal with the disease based on local need and disease status. However, we also have sought assurances that testing and movement restrictions will remain proportionate to the disease status of an area.”
MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH REQUIRED
Conservative Shadow
spokesperson on Rural Affairs Paul Davies told The Herald: “We know that the Welsh Government’s failure to put the necessary measures in place to tackle bovine TB continues to have a huge impact on our rural communities - both emotionally and economically. “I believe that there is a clear
requirement for a more holistic approach and the Welsh Government’s strategy should include all the tools at its disposal to ensure we eliminate bovine TB in both our cattle and wildlife population. “It’s no surprise that farmers
Brian Walters, FUW: ‘Farmers would support GENUINE partnership with government’
Lesley Griffiths: No answers to direct questions
Public are opposed to culls: Simon Thomas
Paul Davies: Government has frustrated farmers
across Wales are as frustrated as ever with the current state of play and so it’s essential that following the Welsh Government’s consultation, a strategy is brought forward that encompasses tackling the disease in the wildlife population - stringent cattle controls and additional biosecurity will not tackle bovine TB on their own.”
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