Welsh public asked to report dead badger sightings
"Bovine TB is one of the biggest challenges facing Wales' farming industry."
Members of the public in Wales are being asked to report sightings of dead badgers as part of the Welsh Government's continuing drive to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB).
It's hoped the sighting information will help with an extensive survey being carried out across the whole of Wales that aims to identify which badgers found dead are infected with bovine TB.
The survey started on Monday, 3 November, and will continue through until at least the end of 2015. It has already been running in the Intensive Action Area in North Pembrokeshire since 2012.
Anyone who finds a dead badger is asked to contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 0300 303 8268. The line is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and wherever possible APHA will endeavour to collect all carcasses reported.
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans said: "Bovine TB is one of the biggest challenges facing Wales' farming industry. It is a devastating disease and one that, as a government, we are working hard to eradicate… The survey will provide useful information on Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) infection in badgers and the results will be used to investigate the relationship between M.bovis infection in badgers and cattle. This is another important step in our aim to tackle TB and achieve our ultimate goal of a TB free Wales."
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
