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13 - May - 2008MONMOUTHSHIRE REACTION TO TB ANNOUNCEMENT

Monmouthshire members of NFU Cymru have welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s decision to tackle TB in Wales.  At a recent county meeting, local farmers were addressed by Stephen James, a Pembrokeshire dairy farmer who sits on the Welsh Assembly Government’s TB Eradication Programme Board.

Mr James said, “Positive steps are now being taken to try to eradicate the disease from Welsh farms and wildlife but we must ensure that Wales remains TB free in the long run also. The Welsh Assembly has committed a budget to eradicate the disease and we must make certain that we are successful in clearing farms and wildlife of the disease.

“It must also be remembered that not only is the disease crippling farm businesses in terms of movement restrictions but as the disease escalates, food security is being severely affected. Cattle numbers are also decreasing which means there are less animals available for milk and meat production,” he added. 

Owen Tamplin, NFU Cymru Monmouthshire County Chairman said, “We are fortunate that this is a devolved issue in terms of the market valuation method used for reactor cattle and the latest announcement to tackle the disease. Wales has stolen the lead on this issue in attempting to not only control the disease, but to eradicate it once and for all.”

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