TB is 'hot' issue in Wales

Intensive treatment and research areas in Wales should hopefully be set up this Summer to tackle the issue of Bovine TB in livestock and wildlife - that's according to the Welsh Assembly Government's TB Action Group Chairman, Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey AM.

Speaking to members of NFU Cymru's Welsh Council last Friday, Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey AM said, "When the final decision has been made by the TB Action Group as to where the intensive treatment and research areas are we will hold public meetings to let everyone, especially farmers, in those areas know practical details including: what is the purpose of the exercise, what we are doing and how they could be affected."

She added, "The timescale for this project is three years and we have to be pragmatic in our approach and it has to be done in partnership."

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru's Vice President and TB expert as his farm is currently in a TB 'hotspot', said, "TB is the most important problem in cattle at the moment in Wales and it is vital that we get this right. This is a horrific disease and we must find solutions to contain and eradicate it and stop the emergence of new TB hotspots in Wales. We appreciate the work done by Tamsin on this issue and we cannot stress enough that she must hold onto the reigns and should not be pressurised by organisations outside of Wales."

NFU Cymru has highlighted the escalating incidences of Bovine TB and the very serious implications for thousands of farmers in its General Election Manifesto. The organisation is calling on the government to take a firm grip of the problem and commit itself to a policy of full eradication of the disease including the development of effective vaccines.

Tamsin Dunwoody Kneafsey AM said, "Full eradication is a huge thing and not possible in my opinion. We must take the disease out as a whole, but, I can't give absolutes until we do the work on it."

As the Assembly Member for Preseli, Pembrokeshire, Tamsin's interest in the issue of Bovine TB developed when she was living on a dairy farm and her neighbouring farm was affected by TB. She appreciates the difficulties the disease causes as she has to live with and close by to people who are trying to keep their businesses viable whilst under the constraints of TB.