The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding all Assembly Members that the current levels of Bovine TB in Wales will cost us trade deals with Europe if there is no change in policy.
The Union welcomes the call for a debate on the eradication of bovine TB in cattle and wildlife at the National Assembly but stresses it is imperative that all AMs back the motion in a bid to achieve an effective change in levels of bTB outbreaks.
FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We welcome the support for the motion but urge all the other Assembly Members to throw their support behind the debate.
“Every single AM needs to recognise that the problem of bovine TB in Wales will have catastrophic consequences for our future trade negotiations if the disease status in our wildlife is not addressed as a matter of urgency.
“This debate is an opportunity for cross-party co-operation on an issue which has significant emotional and financial implications for many farmers in Wales and we need the support of the whole Assembly to achieve a change in policy.”
The FUW continues to highlight that current levels of Bovine TB in Wales are in excess of what will be acceptable to other EU countries when the UK is outside the single market and the Union is deeply concerned that the current disease status has the potential to be a challenging negotiation tool, especially given the the vacuum created by post vaccination failure.
The motion was put forward by Plaid Cymru Mid and West Assembly Member Simon Thomas, Shadow Cabinet member for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs and is supported by AM for North Wales Llŷr Gruffydd, Mid and West Wales AM Neil Hamilton and Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.
