WILLIAMS CALLS ON WALES OFFICE TO PRESS FOR UK WIDE TB STRATEGY

5.21.11pm GMT Wed 10th Feb 2010

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Liberal democrat shadow Secretary of State for Wales, has used today's Oral Question session in the House of Commons, called on the Secretary of State for Wales to press the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to introduce a similar plan to eradicate TB in cattle in England.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Williams said:

"The Labour led administration in Cardiff Bay has developed a very impressive campaign to eliminate the scourge of TB by improving biosecurity, pressing forward with vaccination and instituting a well planned cull of infected wildlife.

"However, if the Welsh Assembly manages to reduce, or even eliminate TB, in Wales, there is always the risk of it spreading back in as a result of DEFRA not taking the tough decisions necessary to tackle this disease.

"If we are to get hold of TB then it is no good to do the hard work in Wales and then let the disease seep back in because of similar policies not being implemented in England.

"Whilst I appreciate the Minister stating his support for the policy adopted by the Assembly Government, he did not answer my question about whether he would raise this issue with colleagues at DEFRA.

"I will be writing to the Minister to again ask him to raise this issue with DEFRA colleagues so that a UK wide strategy can be implemented and the whole of the UK can move towards TB free status."

NOTES:

Mr Williams question to the Minister can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmdebate/01.htm#hddr_9