Oral Statement In Response To The Epc Committee’s Inquiry Report Into Bovine Tuberculosis

I welcome the Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee’s report of the inquiry into bovine tuberculosis.  I am pleased that the Committee was able to achieve cross party consensus on what is one of the most difficult and contentious animal health problems that we currently face in Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government recognises the need to control spread of this disease.  Earlier this year, public consultation on developing a Great Britain wide, sustainable TB strategy highlighted the importance of protecting those clean areas of Wales from bovine tuberculosis.  Development of the new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis is underway.  It is expected to be published early in 2005.  The principles of cost sharing, partnership working and prevention rather than cure, as set out in the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, will also underpin the TB Strategy.  

Turning now to the Welsh perspective, Members were, no doubt, pleased to learn from the written statement that I have accepted all of the report’s recommendations.  Furthermore, I have already acted to implement some of them, for example, by setting up a Wales TB Action Group.  The group held its first meeting on 4 November and is keen to progress with advising me on taking forward the report’s key recommendations.  Membership of the group, which is led by a representative of the State Veterinary Service, provides a genuine balance between industry and wildlife interests.  

In preparing this response, I have received input from external organisations including the farming unions and the Countryside Council for Wales.  These organisations, who are represented on the TB Action Group, have signalled their willingness to work in partnership.  They will also be providing advice to support the Assembly Government in taking forward and implementing the majority of the Committee’s recommendations.   My prime concern is to introduce measures that are practical, proportional and sustainable, whilst taking account of the TB Action Group’s advice.





The State Veterinary Service has a key role to play.  Consequently, my officials are involving them closely in the work that needs to be done in implementing these recommendations.  Under the guidance of the Chief Veterinary Officer, Wales, the Service is rolling out a programme of work to tighten the testing regime and reduce spread of the disease into new areas.  These more rigorous measures will also more closely align controls with the relevant European Directive governing intra-Community trade in bovine animals.   Now that these short term measures are being implemented, the State Veterinary Service will be better placed to improve the detection of TB by:

 Testing those areas where disease is established more regularly;
 Giving herd owners more flexibility on when a test can be done;
 Spending more time tackling the disease; and
 Targeting potential areas of disease before it spreads to other cattle or wildlife.

I have made it clear in my written response that dead, dying and road kill wildlife will be collected and tested outside hotspot areas.  This should provide additional surveillance information to inform the work of the State Veterinary Service in identifying new areas of disease where wildlife infection could be a potential component.  



On the issue of implementation of pre movement testing and increasing the frequency of testing, this raises significant issues for the industry, the private veterinary practices and the State Veterinary Service. I will therefore be consulting on the details in Spring 2005.

The Committee report recommended the introduction of several measures aimed at improving communication between the farming community and the Assembly Government.  I have already decided to introduce a dedicated helpline and TB information packs for farmers.

The Committee also suggested that I should implement the recommendations of the Independent Husbandry Panel.  Many of these are currently the subject of further research.  The remaining relate to actions for farmers, so my officials are currently devising proposals to support farmers in taking measures which limit cattle and wildlife interactions.

The use of the Gamma Interferon test for all herd breakdowns was recommended.  Introduction of improved diagnosis of TB in cattle is a major objective of the wide ranging GB research programme being undertaken in relation to bovine tuberculosis.  The potential use of the Gamma Interferon test, as a supplement to the skin test, is being fully explored as part of a trial of eligible herds across Wales.  The level of farmer involvement in this trial is key to its success, I have and continue to take measures to raise awareness and interest in the trial, in order to encourage widespread participation by eligible herd owners.

Where there is no evidence to support a movement to movement transmission then an investigation into the major species of wildlife known to carry the disease will take place within 2 kms of the breakdown. If it is then found that the wildlife reservoir contains bovine TB, the decision to take any further action must lie with the Minister.

The establishment of an Intensive Treatment Area is a key recommendation, which poses a number of challenges.  The TB Action Group has already considered the implications of this recommendation and advised that due to scientific complexity and uncertainty, a project group should be set up to consider the management of an Intensive Treatment Area, in the light of current and emerging scientific evidence.

I have provided significant funding for TB control measures over the next three financial years.  Funding has been made available to assist with implementation of preventative measures aimed at controlling and reducing the incidence of disease.  However, as recognised in the Committee inquiry report and in line with the principles of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, it is not for Government alone to incur all the costs as farmers will benefit from the introduction of measures to reduce the geographical spread of disease.  I have asked my officials to proceed on the basis that wherever possible and appropriate, costs will be shared between Government and our partners.

The Committee has recognised that this is a complex problem and there are a number of challenges in taking forward its recommendations. I believe that a good start has already been made.  Achieving control of this disease demands commitment, compromise and co-operation from all those involved.  It requires a positive, partnership approach.