THE Assembly Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd is backing calls from NFU Cymru for a comprehensive plan of action that tackles TB disease in both cattle and wildlife.

This announcement follows the recent publication of the TB statistics for 2015, which demonstrated that 8,103 cattle were slaughtered as a result of TB in Wales, compared with 6,378 slaughtered in 2014, an increase of 27%.

This compares with a 10% increase in cattle slaughtered as a result of TB across the UK.

The Welsh Government has over the last few years followed a policy of badger vaccination as a means of controlling the spread of TB in endemic areas of north Pembrokeshire. Due to a global shortage of the BCG drug to treat the disease this program has now been suspended.

Representatives from the farming industry have continually called for greater urgency and more focus to be given to the eradication of TB within the wildlife reservoir.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd AM, Dafydd Elis-Thomas said: “Welsh farmers have played their part in trying to contain the spread of TB in Wales, adhering to strict cattle movement controls and testing. The disease is a massive financial burden on farmers.

“These recent figures, showing such a stark increase in cattle slaughtered as a result of TB, reverse the downward trend of recent years.

“These recent figures are substantially worse than any other part of the UK, with Scotland seeing a 42% reduction in cattle slaughtered.

“The disease must be tackled through a comprehensive plan, which includes a clear strategy for dealing with the disease within the wildlife population to include a cull of TB infected wildlife.

“Looking to the future, I will certainly be making the case for the eradication of TB from both the wildlife and cattle populations, highlighting it as a matter of urgency and priority to the new government whoever they might be.”

Stephen James, NFU Cymru president said: “Whilst we recognise that the bovine TB picture is more complex than just looking at one statistic, these figures should make politicians from all parties in Wales sit up and take notice of the impact that bovine TB continues to have.

“A genuine TB eradication plan must also include a strategy for dealing with the disease reservoir in wildlife in areas where it is endemic.”