Further to WQ99915, will the Cabinet Minister clarify why the Welsh Government does not currently operate a grant scheme that provides funding directly to veterinary professionals to undertake testing for bovine TB in wildlife?
Although we do not currently operate a grant scheme to undertake testing for TB in wildlife, we do fund the All Wales Badger Found Dead Survey through a fully procured contract. We are also about to reintroduce the passive deer surveillance survey where samples collected from deer culled for management purposes are examined for bovine TB.
I eagerly await the advice from the bovine TB Technical Advisory Group and Programme Board to implement a new approach to managing TB. This may lead to opportunities for veterinary professionals to propose methods to fill any identified evidence gaps.