5. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: The Bovine TB Eradication Programme

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:22 pm on 30 April 2019.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 5:22, 30 April 2019

Thank you, Neil Hamilton, for those comments and questions. I don't see a 5 per cent decrease in the number of new incidents as a failure; I see that as a success. I absolutely agree about the number of cattle that have been slaughtered. I gave the reasons why I believe that is the case, but I do, of course, want to see a decrease in that, and I've talked about the flexibility of this programme and, in another 12 months' time, when we look at it, I hope to see, certainly, success in that area too.

Neil Hamilton talks about the bespoke action plans, and we've had 59 action plans to date. Obviously, the 18-month period that we're looking at where they've had these long-term breakdowns, which is when we've gone in and done the bespoke action plans—I mentioned that 21 are now clear of TB. You mentioned there are only three licences. Well, that's because of a variety of reasons, where the vets have decided that there is no wildlife intervention, or maybe the farmer has decided he doesn't want that aspect looked at. So, I don't think you can criticise that there were only three licences. These bespoke action plans look at a variety of things, including biosecurity. I think the badger intervention work must be regarded as a relatively small, but, of course, a complex part of a much bigger programme. No action plan has identified a herd where badgers are the only driver for the disease. I think that's really important to point out, and I have constantly ruled out an English-style badger cull. The science that I've seen, the discussions I've had with my officials, with the chief veterinary officer, have not persuaded me that that would be right for Wales.

We spoke before about the spike in the intermediate area, and Andrew R.T. Davies was asking what more farmers could do, and I mentioned the 'keep it out' visits with vets, and only two have been taken up in that area. So, that's something that perhaps farmers can engage with APHA on more. But I'm certainly not blaming farmers; I've said from the outset I want to work together, and I think collaboratively and working in partnership is the way forward if we want to eradicate this disease.