Following the publication of the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government today (15 June), which contained the phrase that the devolved body would look to “forbid the culling of badgers to control the spread of TB in cattle”, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has urged for an evidence-led approach to tackle the disease in both livestock and wildlife.
Commenting after her intervention in the Siambr, Janet said:
“The Welsh Government has been issuing a tiny amount of licences to mark, trap and take badgers to prevent the spread of disease on farms which have a TB chronic breakdown herd. Indeed, in 2020 they only issued 7 licences.
“Compare that with the startling fact that over 10,000 cattle in the prime of their productive lives continue to be culled every year in Wales due to TB. In fact, from this month onwards, additional measures are being introduced across Aberconwy as a consequence of local disease spread.
“The prohibition on culling is not supported by the evidence. This is of huge concern to my hardworking farmers, so it is paramount that the Welsh Government promises to implement an evidence-led approach to tackle the disease in both livestock and wildlife, to include the culling of badgers.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The statement mentioned can be found in the Programme of Government on page 16 (attached).
Photo: by Taylor Ruecker on Unsplash
