Figures from the Welsh Assembly Government show that the number of cattle infected with bovine TB in Wales has fallen dramatically; nearly a third fewer cattle were slaughtered in 2010 than in 2009.image expired

The figures reveal that between January and October 2010, 6587 cattle were slaughtered in Wales because of bovine TB, compared with 9146 during the same period in 2009; a 28% decrease. However, Rural Affairs Minister Ellin Jones has warned that there were similar trends in 2004 and 2006 and a short-term drop in infections does not suggest a turning point, especially as there are still areas in which bovine TB is prevalent.

Strict cattle movement controls combined with more frequent testing, measures which were introduced in 2008, are thought to be responsible for last year’s down-trend in infection, as well as a zero tolerance policy on farmers failing to comply with regulations.

Although Ellin Jones welcomed this latest reduction in TB cases, she has pledged that there will be no let-up in Wales' TB Eradication Programme. As part of the programme, a pilot cull of badgers could be undertaken in Wales later in the year. There have been suggestions that the encouraging statistics could lend weight to arguments used by campaigners opposed to the badger cull in west Wales. These campaigners argue that cattle controls hold the key to fighting bovine TB and that a badger cull would be ineffectual in preventing the spread of the disease.

Ms Jones said that although the figures were promising, it is still too early to give credit to measures that have been in place since 2008. Between January and October 2010, around 12% (8400) of cattle herds were under restriction at some point, which is 2% lower than 2009 levels. New infections also decreased by 14%, although 36,000 cattle were still slaughtered in Britain as a result of the disease.