4. 4. Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Bovine TB

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:18 pm on 28 September 2016.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 3:18, 28 September 2016

Again, unfortunately you weren’t able to attend the meeting last week, but the BVA representative explained the problems with testing as well, which need to be taken forward. So, when I hosted their Assembly briefing on bovine TB last week, I referred to their historic comments, but we heard at that meeting that the randomised badger culling trial report 2007 established that badgers contribute significantly to the disease in cattle, and that cattle-to-cattle transmission is also very important. Regarding cattle vaccination, we heard that BCG vaccine does not fully protect any species, that the differentiating infected from vaccinated animals test is not yet validated, and that this is currently illegal in the EU. We were reminded that the randomised badger culling trial 1998 to 2006 did find that proactive culling of badgers reduces the incidence of bovine TB in cattle herds. The BVA support badger culling as part of a comprehensive strategy, provided it’s targeted, effective and humane. Although, as we heard, they’ve withdrawn support for the use of controlled shooting, they’ve called for the wider roll-out of culling, using cage-trapping and shooting only in carefully selected areas. So, the Welsh Government must take decisive action to tackle bovine TB, working with the British Veterinary Association to deliver the comprehensive and scientific bovine TB strategy that they are calling for alongside the industry and many in the wider scientific community. Thank you.