NFU Cymru has fully backed the Minister for Rural Affairs’ decision to proceed with the Tuberculosis Eradication (Wales) Order 2009. The order will give the Welsh Assembly Government the power to pursue badger control strategies alongside cattle measures and is part of the ’One Wales’ commitment to pursue a programme of Bovine TB eradication in Wales.
NFU Cymru President, Dai Davies said, "The Order will put in place another part of the framework necessary to implement a successful eradication strategy that will help to return the Welsh countryside to a situation where healthy cattle live alongside a healthy wildlife population. Today’s announcement provides for enabling legislation that takes us a step nearer to this objective.
"Having studied evidence from the UK and around the World NFU Cymru is adamant that the only way to eradicate bovine TB is through the removal of badgers from infected areas of Wales alongside cattle control measures. There has been a significant tightening up of cattle measures in Wales in recent years but these alone have failed to curb the escalation of disease which is why it is imperative to deal with the infection in wildlife alongside the stringent cattle measures that have already been imposed."
In supporting the Minister’s decision NFU Cymru also acknowledged the extensive work done by the office of the Chief Veterinary Officer in Wales and the TB Programme Board which has ensured that decisions taken by the Minister for Rural Affairs on bovine TB eradication have been based on sound evidence, research and fact.
In conclusion Mr Davies said, "I hope that once this Order is laid that the impact assessments that are being undertaken will be completed as swiftly as possible so that we can proceed with the next phase of ridding both cattle and wildlife from this hideous disease."
