Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for her statement this afternoon and for giving me an opportunity to meet with officials earlier on today? I’d like to state, for the record, that my parents-in-law’s farm has been affected by bovine TB over the last 15 years, and I know from personal experience just how devastating this particular disease is.

We, on this side of the Chamber, welcome today’s statement and the Wales TB eradication programme document and delivery plan, and I hope that in responding to my questions today, the Cabinet Secretary will give us more detail about her initial targets and time frames for delivering a TB-free Wales.

I’m particularly pleased to see this Cabinet Secretary starting to take the necessary steps to remove this disease from the wildlife population, as well as tackling the disease in cattle. I’ve always believed that a full, holistic approach is needed to eradicate this disease, and I’m pleased that the Welsh Government is now, at last, taking that approach, as a strong eradication programme relies on dealing with all sources of the disease. So, I’d like to congratulate the Cabinet Secretary on her decision here today to start removing infected badgers.

Now, my first question to the Cabinet Secretary is regarding the decision to remove infected badgers from severely affected farms. Can I therefore ask her what monitoring arrangements are in place for this policy? Perhaps she could provide some more specific detail on the practicalities of these new measures, for example the likely frequency of cage-trapping badgers on severely affected farms and how much funding will be provided to implement these new measures. Indeed, perhaps the Cabinet Secretary will tell us how she will be reporting on the effectiveness of these measures so that we can absolutely be sure that the intervention is targeted appropriately.

Now, today’s statement confirms a regionalised approach, and it’s crucial that the measures are appropriate to the level of risk in each area and that they do not inadvertently result in more burden and red tape for farmers. Therefore, I hope that the Cabinet Secretary will give a cast-iron commitment that that will not be the case. However, there are some very valid concerns regarding the impact of a regionalised approach on trade—and, in particular, trade between Wales and England, which could be negatively affected as a result of these changes. So, it’s crucial that the Welsh Government monitors any knock-on effects that the new approach might have on markets. Perhaps the Cabinet Secretary could also give an indication of how this new approach would impact on livestock markets across Wales.

Now, today’s statement also refers to the introduction of TB status information being made more readily available, similar to the risk-based trading system in New Zealand. Whilst I support the idea of a system that informs farmers of the status of cattle they are buying, could the Cabinet Secretary confirm exactly how the system will ensure that there’s no discrimination against farmers whose cattle have had the disease but are now off restrictions? Indeed, does the Cabinet Secretary recognise the concern of farmers in high TB areas about the potentially negative impact on their trade, and also, how can the Welsh Government properly police this system so that farmers can’t claim that their herd has been free of disease when it has not?

Now, today’s statement also refers to post-movement testing in low and intermediate TB areas, and it’s crucial that any new testing measures are put in place as conveniently as possible in order to minimise disruption to farmers in those areas. I understand that this will not be popular amongst farmers in those areas who feel that it could be costly to the industry. So, could the Cabinet Secretary therefore tell us what assessment she’s made of the financial impact that any additional testing may have?

In the Welsh Government’s consultation, there were proposals for lifelong restriction for inconclusive reactors in high TB areas, like Pembrokeshire, in my own constituency, and elsewhere, and there has justifiably been a number of concerns on this particular issue. The general concept of any lifelong restriction has worried farmers, who believe that restricting inconclusive reactors not only undermines the current skin test but it also could potentially infect the herd if left on a holding. Therefore, given that the statement makes no reference to inconclusive reactors, could the Cabinet Secretary provide some much-needed clarity on this matter and confirm that these lifelong restrictions are no longer being considered?

Farmers have also been concerned about six-monthly whole-herd testing in high TB areas, and it’s good to see that the Welsh Government is now looking at more proportionate testing in these areas. I’m pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has re-looked at this specific proposal, although I would still be interested in any research that has been undertaken regarding the impact that six-monthly whole-herd testing in high TB areas would have on trading with farmers outside of Wales and health and safety. Therefore, perhaps the Cabinet Secretary could provide more detail on the impact of six-monthly whole-herd testing in high TB areas.

Now, the statement also confirms a compensation cap from £15,000 to £5,000, which will have a significant impact on some farmers in Wales. So, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm how the Welsh Government will account for any additional pressure placed on farmers as well as how the Government will actually recognise pedigree stock?

Llywydd, can I thank the Cabinet Secretary, once again, for her statement this afternoon; and can I, once again, put on record my broad support for the Welsh Government’s proposals? Members are all aware of the importance of eradicating bovine TV. The agricultural industry has made it quite clear that unless urgent and proactive action is taken to manage the source of infection in both cattle and in wildlife, post-Brexit trade negotiations could be put at significant risk. Therefore, I’m pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has brought forward proposals to tackle this disease holistically, including tackling the transmission routes between cattle and wildlife, and we look forward to constructively scrutinising these proposals as they develop.