I think, on the latter point, you should follow the scientific evidence—I would commend that. I think it is slightly perverse for a Member to quote the need to follow scientific evidence and then throw into the debate something that has certainly not been examined by the committee, or the Welsh Government by the sound of it. But, as I said, evidence has to be taken seriously when it’s robust.

I welcome the target setting. I think that’s very important, that we set a national target and then we have the interim targets for the three regions. I do think it’s important that we emphasise that, in the two regions that unfortunately are not very close to TB-free status, every effort over the period of the target will be taken, and that we will not let up. Our determination is to have a Wales free of bovine TB. So, I think they need reassurance because I think some feel that if north Wales is designated TB-free then the whole issue gets lessened on an all-Wales basis. I know that’s not your intention, but it is something that is mentioned by the farmers unions for instance, so we need to keep that in mind.

I think that trapping, testing, and removing infected badgers in high-risk areas is appropriate. Surely, it would be an odd animal welfare decision to release those badgers back into the wild if they are found to be heavily diseased. So, I do think this is an appropriate approach. The committee did find here evidence, both in England but also around the world, that some removal in the wildlife reservoir is appropriate, and, again, we’re always open to the evidence.

I think the new strategy needs to be effectively monitored and evaluated. The committee looked at this in great detail and I welcome the fact that you’re going to make regular, possibly annual—you’re yet to decide that—statements, and I think it’s an appropriate thing for the Assembly to return to on that basis as well.

I will just say, about adequate compensation, I think one way that we can respond to this disaster, really—if you look at a map of TB spread in the 1960s and look at it now, it is a truly dismal advance the disease has taken over that time. But, one thing we could do, as we progress to disease-free status, is improve the quality of the stock, and here pedigree breeding is important. So, I would ask you to look at that one very carefully, because that was specifically raised with us in committee.