TB testing

3.50.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 17th Feb 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has backed the FUW's demand that plans for compulsory pre-movement TB testing in Wales be scrapped.

The calls come after English plans to introduce such measures next week were called off.

Ms Williams said: "The implementation of compulsory pre-movement TB testing has the potential to cause massive confusion among, and increase financial pressures on, farmers. This appears to have now been recognised by the English authorities, and I hope the Assembly Government will follow suit and scrap its plans to introduce these measures. It should look instead at how to check the disease amongst all animals, as it is becoming increasingly endemic in the wildlife population - killing more and more cattle cannot be the solution."