Bates calls for reduction in targets to remove TB reactors

12.00.00am GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has called on the Minister Elin Jones to reduce the target time for removing TB reactors from farms and to establish 'red markets' in Wales to allow farmers to sell their livestock and help ease economic pressures.

Latest figures show that 8,300 cattle in Wales were slaughtered as TB reactors from Jan-Oct 2008 compared to 7,171 for the whole of 2007.

Commenting Mick stated:

"TB is now extensive across Wales and I welcome the progress being made on the TB eradication programme, which includes the testing of an additional 3,500 herds across Wales.

"However as TB affects more and more cattle, there is increasing frustration at some of the worst aspects of this disease, namely the removal of reactors from farms and the amount of time taken to inform farmers that an animal that they have purchased is from a farm that has since been placed under restriction.

"Farmers are under increasing pressure and the costs of continuing to feed animals that have been tested as reactors is a huge burden. I congratulate the Minister on achieving 83% of the target of removing TB reactors from farms within 20 days. However, it is crucial that we hit 100% and then reduce the length of this target to ensure more swift and efficient removal of reactors from farms.

"As more farms are placed under restriction, economic pressures are rising and a big frustration is the inability to sell stock in a live market. The next step forward is to develop red markets where farmers in Wales can sell their livestock, to help them through this difficult time."

End/Diwedd