Following many meetings with farmers across west Wales I recently met with the Agricultural Minister, Elin Jones to discuss the issue of Bovine TB as this is an ongoing threat to farmers in all parts of Wales. Indeed Pembrokeshire has one of the highest incidences of bovine TB in the UK.

I very much welcome the comprehensive package of measures that will be introduced to eradicate bovine TB in Wales which was announced by Elin Jones last week. In her statement she rightly said that Bovine TB is having a devastating impact on the health and welfare of the national herd in Wales and to do nothing was not an option. Very true.
The measures she has introduced involve strengthening biosecurity measures and husbandry practises, and a one off test of all herds in Wales to ensure that the extent of the problem is fully realised and shapes future policy. She also proposed a trial cull of infected badgers in a designated intensive test area (the precise area is still being worked out). Obviously this is the most controversial element of the plan, but I fully support the minister. We take it as necessary that we cull infected cattle, and it is only right that we look at a pilot area to cull infected badgers. I fully understand the arguments against this, and the scientific evidence is far from clear, with some scientists advocating this procedure and some not. But as the incidence of TB increase at a staggering rate something needs to be done to eradicate the disease. Let’s not forget that Bovine TB is a dangerous disease that can be passed onto humans.

I am confident that the responsible action that the Minister is taking along with the support of the farming industry and our rural communities as a whole will have a very positive impact on the incidence of the disease.