Bates shocked by badger survey announcement

Release/Rhyddhau: 20/05/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

Montgomeryshire farmer and AM, Mick Bates, has reacted with shock to the news that the Labour Assembly Government’s survey of dead badgers will finish at the end of May.

Commenting Mick said: “I am shocked that this survey is ending so soon. We have been led to believe that the collection of dead badgers would continue for some time. It has lasted just four months!

“This is just another example of the government’s botched approach to the issue of Bovine TB Wales. They have failed to take real action that would solve the problem. Bovine TB is continuing to increase at an alarming rate.  Carwyn Jones needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan that works.

“That means introducing “intensive treatment areas” something experts have continually called for. It also means examining the possibility of culling wildlife that carry the disease.

“These moves may not be popular with his Labour backbenchers, but they are necessary if this problem is going to be solved.”