Rural Affairs Budget Proposes TB Eradication

WALES - NFU Cymru has welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s draft Rural Affairs budget proposals, which recognise that the ‘One Wales’ document commitment to Bovine TB eradication will need to be bolstered with new money; that the Tir Mynydd budget originally scheduled to drop to £22m in 2008 is to be put back to £29m, and that £2m is to be made available from 2010-2011 for a new young entrant scheme.

9 November 2007

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Europe

Commenting on the announcement, NFU Cymru President Dai Davies said, “We applauded the coalition government’s pledge in its One Wales document to an eradication strategy for Bovine TB. The draft budget reaffirms this undertaking and recognises that new and additional financial resources will be necessary to deliver on this commitment.

“No one should underestimate the resources and effort that will be needed to tackle this vile disease - there are no quick fixes. It is likely that as we fight this disease costs will rise before they begin to fall, but the ultimate prize would be seeing cattle and wildlife populations in Wales free of TB and a declining budget for TB compensation.

“It has been estimated that £14m will be spent on bovine TB compensation this year alone, which is a tragic and unnecessary waste of money that is depleting the Rural Affairs budget and diverting attention and resources away from more positive initiatives. Farmers don’t want TB compensation; they want their cattle free of disease.”

On the issue of the Tir Mynydd budget, Dai Davies said, “Whilst the budget for 2008 will be £5m higher than last year, the hill and upland sectors have witnessed significant erosion in their support compared to two years ago. This, combined with the devastating effects of Foot and Mouth Disease and Bluetongue, is bound to reflect in drastically depressed incomes.”

NFU Cymru looks forward to being consulted on measures to assist new young entrants into the industry.