‘A coherent TB strategy is essential’
RISING compensation payouts for TB-infected cattle herds in Wales have prompted calls for a “more coherent” eradication strategy for the disease.
In the last full year for which figures are available, slaughter compensation paid to Welsh farmers climbed 33% over the previous 12 months.
During 2014-15, £10.9m was paid out to the industry, rising to £14.5m in 2015-16.
The increase came in a year when the Welsh Government was forced to suspend its badger vaccination programme due to supply chain issues.
The cost of administering Wales’ bovine TB programme also rose over the same period, from £12.4m in 2014-15 to £13.9m in 2015-16.
Slaughter and disposal costs were also up, but valuation costs were down.
The figures were revealed in response to an inquiry made by the Welsh Conservatives.
Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Paul Davies said the figures were evidence of the need for a coherent strategy to eradicate TB.
He said: “Compensation payouts are spiralling, the vaccination programme has been suspended, and yet the costs of administering the wider scheme are also being driven upwards.
“Clearly it’s not sustainable to preside over an ever-increasing compensation bill and bovine TB is doing irreparable harm to Welsh rural communities.”
Welsh Government figures reveal that compensation payouts were at their highest in 201213, when £17m was delivered to farmers who were forced to cull their cattle to stem the disease.
Programme delivery costs have also fallen significantly in the past five years, totalling £16.8m in 2011-12 and peaking at £16.9m a year later. The bill fell to £12.8m in 2013-14.
Earlier this year an expanded system of penalties was imposed in Wales in an effort to curb “risky behaviour” by farmers and lower the overall compensation bill.
Ministers were also given greater powers to recover the costs if TB rules were broken. A new compensation cap per animal was introduced as well.
The Welsh Government is currently consulting on a “refreshed” bovine TB eradication strategy, with the consultation due to end on January 10.
In the run-up to Christmas Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths expressed disappointment at the lukewarm response from farmers, with just 18 comments received at that point.