29 June 2011

The heads of Wales’ three regional bovine TB eradication boards have resigned claiming they were "badly misled" by the Welsh Government, after they were not consulted over the delay to the badger cull proposed by the previous Government.

The three TB Regional Eradication Delivery Boards, based in North Wales, Cardiff and Carmarthen were set up in 2008 to investigate regional approaches to controlling bovine TB in Wales. The cull order was passed by Ellin Jones, former Rural Affairs Secretary, eight months after initial plans were rejected by a Welsh court, to be carried out in the Intensive Action Area (IAA). The IAA is a 111 square mile area, covering four counties.

John Owen, Peredur Hughes and John Stevenson resigned after the controversial plans were put on hold pending a scientific review. Tendering their resignations, the three wrote, "We feel we have no alternative but to withdraw our support as chairs of your respective boards until you have completed the scientific review or are prepared to meet us. To have taken this decision without even having the courtesy of listening to our opinion suggests a total disregard for our views."

A spokesperson for the Welsh Government said their resignations were "regrettable."

Although the Welsh Government’s decision to postpone a cull pending further investigation has been met with exasperation by many farmers, the Wildlife Trust welcomed the review. The trust manages four nature reserves in the IAA, including one grazed by water buffalo.

Sarah Kessell, the Trust’s Chief Executive, explained the organisation is committed to vaccination as a more sustainable, long-term solution to bTB, which she said is more likely to help eradicate the disease than killing badgers. Contrary to statements made by the former heads of regional TB boards and the British Veterinary Association, Ms Kessel insisted that, “a great deal more evidence” is available now than at the time the current policy was developed.

She said, “With so much at stake, this rigorous review process is vital if the best result is to be achieved. Current vaccination research is starting to deliver very positive results, and this will be a key part of the evidence presented to the review,” she said.