Welsh TB plan sparks fury

WELSH FARMERS have reacted angrily to a call for consultation on the possibility that TB testing and compensation could be funded through an industry levy.

The call is included in a report by the Welsh Assembly‘s Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee.

It recommends that an examination of the idea should be part of the remit of a new TB Action Group, which should be established to deliver short-term control measures.

Another proposal is that farming should share the costs should the whole of Wales be made an intensive treatment area.

But it says this would only happen if a range of suggested special measures proved effective in TB hotspots.

These include investigating all cattle movements on and off farms where there are new outbreaks.

It would also involve the use gamma interferon testing to ensure infected cattle are removed as soon as possible, and testing of cattle on all farms within a 2km radius.

If investigations find that the cause of the breakdown is not cattle transfer an investigation of major species known to carry and transmit TB should be undertaken.

Animals showing signs of the disease would be removed and infected areas cleaned to reduce the risk of transmission to other wildlife.

The report, which was published on Wed (Aug 11) recommends the implementation of pre-movement testing across Wales, with cattle sales dependent on a valid certificate.

It wants routine herd testing every two years in clean parishes, and the introduction of gamma interferon testing on infected farms.

The committee also proposes the testing of susceptible wildlife killed on roads outside hotspot areas.

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru deputy president, welcomed the report‘s call for an holistic and pragmatic approach to tackling TB.

But he rejected out of hand any idea of levying farmers to control TB and fund compensation.

Farmers Union of Wales spokesman Alan Morris also attacked the suggestion that farmers should pay for the control of TB.

“We oppose the imposition of any extra financial burden on the industry, especially as the increasing cost of dealing with the spread of the disease is the result of political inaction.”