The British Veterinary Association (BVA) have welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of a new regionalised approach to eliminating bovine TB in Wales as part of the refreshed bovine TB Eradication Programme.

Neil Paton, President of BVA Welsh Branch, said: “We welcome this announcement today and the Welsh Government’s commitment to tackling bovine TB. We are particularly heartened to see the focus on risk-based assessment and the targeting of chronically infected herds with individual action plans, to be developed in partnership with farmers, vets and the APHA.

“We also welcome the recognition of the role played by the wildlife reservoir of disease. However, we are concerned that if badger culling by cage-trapping and shooting is not part of the refreshed eradication programme, there needs to be an evidence-based plan in place and other viable options must be proposed.

"The Test and Vaccinate or Remove (TVR) model currently being explored in Northern Ireland had previously been discounted in Wales after modelling suggested it was not a viable option. As vets, we are committed to working with the Welsh Government and Welsh farmers on a comprehensive strategy to control and eradicate this disease.”

Gudrun Ravetz, BVA President, said: “We have always argued that bovine TB will only be eradicated through a comprehensive programme utilising all of the tools available. We welcome such an approach in the Welsh Government’s refreshed eradication programme.

"We will continue to work with all UK governments to control and eradicate the disease where it is present and to prevent incursions in Scotland, which is Officially TB-Free.”