Welsh aim to extend TB controls

Bovine tuberculosis controls specific to cattle in Wales could soon apply to camelids, goats and deer.

The Welsh Assembly Government has launched a consultation on a draft legislative order to control TB in these three species.

It means that alpacas, guanacos, llamas and vicunas as well as goats and deer will be subject to controls similar to those on cattle and compensation will be paid to owners if they have to be slaughtered. But these new controls will not include a regular bovine TB testing regime nor a requirement for TB pre-movement testing.

Wales’ rural affairs minister Elin Jones said camelids, goats and deer were as susceptible to catching TB as cattle and badgers and controls had to be put in place if the disease was to be eradicated in Wales.

“This draft order aims to put the prevention and management of incidents of bovine TB in camelids, goats and deer on a similar footing to the arrangements already in place for cattle,” she said.

“It would introduce controls to prevent the spread of disease and for compensation when these animals are slaughtered due to bovine TB.”

For owners who comply with the relevant controls, compensation of £1500 would be paid for female alpacas or stud alpacas and £750 for other alpacas, guanacos, llamas or vicunas, while deer would attract a compensation payment of £400 and goats £100.

The Welsh Assembly Government introduced legislation in 2008 that created specific powers for inspectors to enter land and to obtain a warrant to test non-bovine animals for disease.

Launching the consultation, Ms Jones stressed how quickly bovine TB advances in infected camelids. “They show very little in the way of physical signs before it reaches an advanced stage and it causes a painful death,” she said.

“This is distressing for owners and for the animal. Bovine TB is a horrible disease, which is why we are committed to eradicating it from Wales.”

The consultation on the draft order runs for 12 weeks. The consultation document and information on how to respond is available on the Welsh Assembly Government