DEFRA Cuts: Welsh budget cut by 12% but TB scheme ‘safe’

The £27m earmarked for eradicating bovine TB in Wales is said to be secure despite major cuts to the Welsh Assembly Government’s spending budget.


UK government funding for the assembly would reduce from its current £15bn to £14.6bn by 2014-15.

For rural affairs minister, Elin Jones, the bovine TB eradication scheme including a planned trial culled of badgers in west Wales, will be a priority when the assembly government announces it draft 2011-2012 budget on 17 November.

NFU Cymru’s deputy president, Stephen James, said he had been assured that the money was “ring-fenced”.

“We have been told that this funding is safe,” Mr James told Farmers Weekly.

The scheme is likely to retain the backing of the administration because of its potential for cutting the large compensation bill for animals slaughtered due to TB.

Another initiative close to Elin Jones’ heart is a scheme supporting young entrants to farming. It was announced earlier this week that the application window for the Young Entrants Support Scheme (YESS) had opened for the second year after 12 months n which it exceeded its target of supporting 100 young entrants. It is understood that funding for this project will also be secured.

The assembly government has also pledged to continue with its free milk programme in primary schools in Wales.

In total, the assembly government’s budget will fall by around 3.1% a year over the next four years.

A statement issued by the assembly government yesterday pointed to its capital budget being hit especially hard. It will be reduced by 40% in real terms – 34% in cash terms – over the next four years.

“Against this background, we will continue to take a distinctive Welsh approach to safeguard essential services in Wales. We are committed to protecting investment in schools, skills and healthcare, and committed to maintaining universal entitlements – including the concessionary fares scheme, free prescriptions, free swimming and free breakfasts and milk for primary school children,” said the statement.

• For more on the cuts click here.

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