Urgent prescription needed to heal 'sick' countryside

NFU Cymru has called for the Welsh Assembly Government's Rural Affairs Minister to write an urgent prescription to aid the Welsh countryside's recovery from bovine Tuberculois following the message from plenary this afternoon that 'the countryside is sick and we need to put health back into the countryside.'

NFU Cymru has welcomed the widespread support from all sides of the political spectrum for the Assembly's Rural Development Sub-Committee's report on bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) which was today noted at the plenary session.

Dai Davies, NFU Cymru President, who was present for the debate said, "I am heartened that at long last this issue now seems to be being taken seriously and that the words 'urgent' and 'holistic' were being used in the chamber. Alun Davies, in referring to bTB in rural areas said today that 'the countryside is sick and we need to put health back into the countryside.' I would say that there are areas that are terminally ill because there hasn't been a full and rounded approach to patient care. I hope in early April that the Minister will issue the urgent prescription needed to start the countryside's recovery programme."

Alun Davies, the Chairman of the Rural Development Sub-Cttee, said, "We had no preconceived opinion or prejudice but to publish a report that will eradicate this disease."

The Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, acknowledged that the report would have a part to play in developing the Welsh Assembly Government's eradication policy and she indicated she was 'serious about an eradication strategy' with all stakeholders taking responsibility for the areas they control and she would come back to the Assembly in early April with a full statement on the programme.

Mr Davies concluded, "I welcome this report and the commitment and consensus expressed by all political parties today at plenary to an eradication strategy and I can commit NFU Cymru to playing its full part in this provided the holistic approach called for in the chamber by so many Assembly Members of all different political persuasions is progressed."