Speaking at the BVA's annual Welsh dinner in Cardiff City Hall yesterday (Tuesday, April 29), Nicky Paull said the association ‘fully supports' the commitment to TB Health Check Wales, the one-off testing of all cattle herds across Wales.

“And we particularly welcome your recent announcement, Minister, that a cull of badgers in specific areas is going to be undertaken as part of the comprehensive programme being introduced to tackle bovine TB from Wales,” she told an audience that included Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones and chief veterinary officer Christianne Glossop.

“I am sure that all British farmers will be watching the Welsh programme and hope that it will show that this dreadful disease can be successfully controlled – and eventually eradicated.”

Mrs Paull added: “The continuing spread of bovine TB within cattle and wildlife - particularly badgers but also other susceptible species such as deer - has not only an unacceptable impact on animal health and welfare but also on the health and welfare of our farming communities.

“Nor should we forget that bovine TB has the potential for being a very serious risk to public health as the mycobacterium that causes this chronic problem becomes widespread across the countryside of the United Kingdom.

“As veterinary scientists and practitioners, we remain convinced that steps need to be taken immediately, and humanely, to control the spread of infection in all susceptible species. Only then can we move on to eradication.”