The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed Defra's recognition that action must be taken in England to combat bovine TB in badgers and called on the Welsh Government to take similar account of the severity of the situation facing Welsh farmers.
Speaking after a meeting with Welsh animal health minister John Griffiths, FUW president Emyr Jones said: "While there are significant differences between the English and Welsh badger culling proposals, the science makes it clear that both approaches can be expected to yield major reductions in TB incidences.
"Given the importance of cross-border trade between England and Wales any moves to tackle this devastating disease in England are welcome."
Mr Jones said the Welsh Government's decision to review plans to cull badgers in north Pembrokeshire had sparked indignation amongst the farming community as farming families continued to reel from the impact of this devastating disease on a daily basis.
"While there has been an encouraging downward trend in incidences in Wales, in the proposed culling area of north Pembrokeshire incidences have not fallen despite the fact that the area has the strictest cattle control measures in the whole of the UK.
"England has recognised the need to take action, rather than further procrastinate, and Wales must do the same by ensuring that the review of the science is completed as soon as possible."