THE cost of Bovine TB to farmers in Pembtrokeshire has been highlighted in the Welsh Assembly.

Just weeks after Pembrokeshire farmer Will Prichard estimated that bovine TB controls could be costing his business £216,000 a year, Plaid Cymru Mid and West AM Simon Thomas highlighted the cost of the diesease to farmers in he county.

Quizzing the minister for natural resources and food, Mr Thomas said: “The evidence in terms of tackling TB is interesting and it needs to be considered very carefully, but it is just as true to say that the evidence of the cost to farmers in Pembrokeshire when they lose a herd or some of their cattle is just as strong.”

Welsh Government plans to replace individual valuations for compensation for cattle due to be slaughtered because of TB with standardised tables have attracted much criticism. Farmers and farming unions do not believe tables will be comprehensive enough to reflect variations in livestock values. The Welsh Government claims the new system will encourage farmers to work harder to keep TB out of their herds as payments will be capped, but this has also raised the heckles of Welsh farmers.

Mr Thomas added: “The minister for natural resources and food is proposing price tables now that will be very different in some cases. I called for assurances that these tables, the value of herds, or the wider cost to the farmer of losing those cattle, is actually reflected so we get more friends for the battle to tackle TB.”

The consultation has closed and a decision is due to be announced soon.