THE FARMERS’ UNION OF WALES has welcomed the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, that TB eradication targets for Wales as a whole and interim targets for each TB region have now been established.
If achieved, these targets would see Wales become officially TB free between 2036 and 2041.
On Tuesday, December 12, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced TB eradication targets for Wales and interim targets for each TB region – which if achieved will see Wales become officially TB free between 2036 and 2041.
Interim targets, covering six-year periods, will be set for each of the TB Areas. These targets will specify overall reductions in herd incidence as well as the transfer of Spatial Units from higher incidence areas to lower incidence areas.
This means, for example, the Low TB Area will expand over time, to cover land currently classified as Intermediate, and High TB Areas will shrink as their Spatial Units are reclassified to the Intermediate areas. At the end of each six-year period, progress will be assessed and milestones set for the following period.
Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths said: “We have made good progress in recent years towards eradicating TB in Wales. There has been a significant reduction in incidence across Wales and I am determined we continue that improvement.
“The 6-year regional milestones I am announcing today are key to delivering this. If achieved, Wales will become Officially TB free between 2036 and 2041.
“These milestones stress the urgency of the task at hand and reflect my ambition to see important progress in each region during each period. They will help convey the need for immediate action, to focus minds and to drive the progress necessary to achieve our collective goals.
“We have enhanced our TB Eradication Programme this autumn and the regional approach to TB eradication is intended to help us achieve our targets. We now need to focus on protecting the Low TB Area from disease incursion and driving down disease in the Intermediate and High TB Areas. We will continue to build our programme as we progress towards our goal of a TB free Wales.
“Meeting our targets will not be easy. They are intended to be ambitious and to stretch us. Achieving them will require the cooperation and dedication of everyone involved. I am challenging us all, in Government, APHA, industry and our veterinary colleagues, to commit everything to ensure we eradicate this dreadful disease as soon as possible.”
Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Other countries, such as New Zealand, Ireland and England have established bovine TB eradication programmes which set target dates for being TB free and the FUW has consistently highlighted this over the past year.
“Having a target date for Wales to be officially TB free provides clarity on the process and focuses the eradication programme. More importantly, it provides accountability and allows the industry to evaluate whether the strategy is working.”
Add Comment