New targets announced for Wales to be officially TB Free from 2036

f achieved, Wales will become Officially TB free between 2036 and 2041
f achieved, Wales will become Officially TB free between 2036 and 2041

Wales could be bovine TB free from 2036 if new eradication targets announced today are met.

Interim targets, covering 6-year periods, will be set for each of the TB areas. These targets will specify overall reductions in herd incidence as well as the transfer of Spatial Units from higher incidence areas to lower incidence areas.

This means, for example, the Low TB Area will expand over time, to cover land currently classified as Intermediate, and High TB Areas will shrink as their Spatial Units are reclassified to the Intermediate areas.

At the end of each 6-year period, progress will be assessed and milestones set for the following period.

'Good progress'

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said Wales has had "good progress" in recent years towards eradicating TB in Wales.

“The 6-year regional milestones I am announcing today are key to delivering this. If achieved, Wales will become Officially TB free between 2036 and 2041,” she said.

“These milestones stress the urgency of the task at hand and reflect my ambition to see important progress in each region during each period. They will help convey the need for immediate action, to focus minds and to drive the progress necessary to achieve our collective goals.

“We have enhanced our TB Eradication Programme this autumn and the regional approach to TB eradication is intended to help us achieve our targets.

“We now need to focus on protecting the Low TB Area from disease incursion and driving down disease in the Intermediate and High TB Areas. We will continue to build our programme as we progress towards our goal of a TB free Wales.”

Ms Griffiths said the targets are "ambitious" and are designed to "stretch" the government and farmer She said it is vital to commit to a eradication of the disease.

'Accoutability'

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed the announcement.

Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Other countries, such as New Zealand, Ireland and England have established bovine TB eradication programmes which set target dates for being TB free and the FUW has consistently highlighted this over the past year.

“Having a target date for Wales to be officially TB free provides clarity on the process and focusses the eradication programme. More importantly, it provides accountability and allows the industry to evaluate whether the strategy is working.”