Welsh badger vaccination plan could be extended
The vaccination programme aimed at controlling bovine TB in Wales could be rolled out to include other disease hotspots.
On the day the Welsh government announced that more than 1,400 badgers had been vaccinated in parts of west Wales – dubbed an intensive action area (IAA) – environment minister John Griffiths said options for expanding the vaccination programme and delivering it in other areas were currently being developed.
The vaccination programme replaced a controversial cull within the IAA, which is mainly located in north Pembrokeshire, but includes small parts of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.
The region has one of the highest incidences of bovine TB in Europe.
Mr Griffiths remains confident that vaccination should reduce the risk of TB transmission from badgers to cattle.
“I will be monitoring the results of vaccination and of our entire eradication programme carefully to ensure we are making good progress towards our ultimate goal of a TB-free Wales. I will report further in the new year,” he said.
A project report will be published at the end of January and will include a cost breakdown for the first year of the programme.
Video: Watch the vaccinators at work
For more on bovine TB read our special report