BADGERS in Brecon and Radnorshire could be trapped and killed as part of a fresh bid to eradicate bovine TB in Wales.
Both counties are set to be designated a high TB area under new Welsh Government plans to tackle the disease.
That could mean badgers will be cage-trapped and "humanely" killed - though the government has said its plans are not the same as the badger cull allowed in England. Testing has already confirmed TB is present in local badgers.
Lesley Griffiths, the cabinet secretary for the environment and rural affairs, said the Welsh Government is adopting a regionalised approach in its renewed bid to eradicate bovine tuberculosis.
The disease is the scourge of cattle farmers and many blame its spread on wildlife particularly badgers.
In England farmers have been allowed to shoot healthy and infected badgers but a proposed cull in West Wales was abandoned by the Welsh Government in favour of a vaccination programme.
However a worldwide shortage means the vaccine will not be available next year.
Ms Griffiths told the Senedd: "Our current programme for TB eradication in Wales comes to an end this year, so it is time to take stock, reflect on our successes, learn lessons and consider a refreshed approach.
"Since we introduced the eradication programme in 2012 we have seen a decrease in the number of new cases of bovine TB in cattle herds in Wales, with the latest figures showing the number of new TB incidents is down by 19%.
"I am keen to build on this success and speed up progress, which is why I am looking to introduce enhanced, evidence-based measures. I believe this refreshed TB Eradication Programme will put us in a stronger position to ensure we continue to make progress towards a TB Free Wales."
Under the new plans, which the government is consulting on, Low, Intermediate and High TB areas will be established across Wales based on bovine TB incidence levels. Each area will have a tailored approach to reflect the varying disease conditions and risks.
Brecon and Radnorshire will form part of the Border High TB area as the disease is endemic in the area and it has the highest number of new breakdowns.
The majority of cattle movements in the area are local, from within the area or neighbouring counties in England where TB is also endemic, and it's suspected the high number of local movements means infected cattle are moving undetected.
Contact between cattle and wildlife is also thought to be driving the disease locally.
Around 7% of local herds are under TB restrictions which is down from 10% at the beginning of 2009.
The government says it hopes to reduce the length of time cattle are under restrictions and in the longer-term consider the area becoming an ’intermediate’ area.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales welcomed the announcement what it called a "badger test-and-cull type approach" could be adopted "as a small step in the right direction". But it said many farmers will be concerned at the implications of splitting Wales into TB zones.
NFU Cymru said the government recognising a link between cattle and wildlife in TB transmutation was "a step forward".
The Welsh Government’s consultation is also seeking views on a mandatory "Informed Purchasing Scheme" so farmers know the health of cattle being sold, compensation penalties for cattle moved within a multi-site restricted holding and reducing the TB compensation cap to £5,000. The government says this would not affect the majority of farmers but would result in around £300,000 a year savings.