Assembly Election could scupper Welsh TB cull

Plans for a badger cull to combat bovine TB in Wales could be scuppered by next year’s Welsh Assembly elections.

Wales rural affairs minister Elin Jones has restated her determination to rid Wales of TB. But, with a consultation on the issue due to finish on 17 December, the earliest any culling could take place is after the closed season ends next May.

This coincides with the date for the assembly elections. With a majority of 13%, Ms Jones is likely to retain her Ceredigion seat, but she may no longer be rural affairs minister if Labour gains votes at the expense of her Plaid Cymru party.

“Whether the status quo will persist is questionable,” said NFU Cymru president Ed Bailey. “Whether the minister will achieve the support she needs prior to the election is also questionable. There is no doubt that post-election politicians are a lot braver than they are pre-election.”

Mr Bailey said he hoped spiralling TB compensation costs – totalling £120m over the past eight to 10 years – would concentrate the minds of politicians, and he urged farmers to respond to the assembly consultation in favour of the cull.