THE Welsh Government has published its long-awaited TB eradication programme.

Brecon and Radnorshire will, from October 1, be part of a designated high-risk area for bovine tuberculosis under the plan which caused concern among local farmers when it was first announced before Christmas.

At the beginning of the year more than 400 farmers from Powys warned the Welsh Government its initial plans could signal the end of beef farming in Wales.

They feared increased testing that would have also extended the period cows could not be moved from farms in the high risk areas.

Other parts of Wales will be classed as low or intermediate risk areas for TB infection – which many local farmers are worried could place them at a disadvantage. The designations are based on recorded TB levels.

Brecon and Radnorshire is part of a high-risk area that stretches from the south Wales coast east of Cardiff, all along the border to south of Oswestry and stretching down Powys’ western boundary. Llandovery is in the intermediate area while south west Wales is also classed as a high risk area.

However the government’s plan has been welcomed by the farming unions – though they are still disappointed as they claim not enough is being done to tackle the disease among wildlife.

Brian Walters, of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), said: “Whilst we recognise that many of our members will be frustrated by the new rules, many of the FUW’s key concerns have been allayed and the union is pleased that the Welsh Government has listened to many of the issues outlined in our consultation response.”

Both the FUW and the National Farmers Union Cymru welcomed the decision to drop a plan for routine six-monthly testing of all herds in the High TB areas.

Increased testing has also caused concern for farmers as the process can be dangerous when cows, sometimes weighing more than three quarters of a ton, have to be confined to a cattle race.

Farmers say they and cattle have suffered serious injuries during TB testing which is also anxious and emotionally testing for farmers.

Farmer Glyn Powell, the third generation of his family to farm at Llechfaen, above Groesfordd, in the Brecon Beacons, was among those to sign the letter.

He said farmers can already, under the current testing regime, feel as if they are on a constant cycle of testing for TB.

He said he still fears the burden of farming in what will be classed a high risk area. He said: “I feel I’ve had to put in a lot of work over 10 years and not had anything back from it.

“It is not just me who feels like that but a lot of farmers say they will give up keeping cattle because of it.”

Under the programme, chronic breakdown herds will have individual action plans with disease control measures specifically aimed at clearing up infection in cattle.

In these chronic breakdown herds, where there is evidence of infection in the badger population, the government will consider a range of options to reduce the risk of disease spread, including cage-trapping, testing and where necessary humanely killing infected badgers.

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs Lesley Griffiths though said she is continuing to rule out the large-scale culling of badgers being carried out in England.

She said: “Over the last few years we have made real progress towards eradicating TB in Wales. The number of new incidents has fallen by over 40% since its peak in 2009 and currently 95% of herds in Wales are TB free.

“I have listened to the industry’s responses to our consultation and have fed what was appropriate and reasonable into the programme.

“This should not be seen as exclusively a government plan; it has been developed through consultation with industry, and will be reviewed over time.

“I now call on the farming industry and veterinary profession to play a full part. Together we can achieve our goal of a TB free Wales.”