The picture of bovine TB in Wales is ever changing, but the important long-term trends show good progress. Between 2009 and December 2022, new TB incidents fell by 49 per cent in Welsh herds while prevalence decreased by 32 per cent. Regionally, there is variation, mainly due to pockets of disease where we are developing or have already taken forward enhanced measures, for example a more rigorous contiguous testing regime for herds neighbouring a TB breakdown.

Today I am launching a refreshed delivery plan that sets out our approach to TB eradication over the next five years. The plan builds on the comprehensive armoury of measures under way and sets our course to make further progress towards a TB-free Wales by 2041. The theme at the heart of this refreshed delivery plan is partnership working. I've always said Government cannot eradicate TB alone. We need the support, engagement and ownership of the farming industry and veterinary profession. We must all play our part. This is borne out in the findings of the task and finish group on farmer engagement, which suggests a greater level of partnership working, through co-design and co-delivery, can build trust, dispel inaccurate information and empower keepers to take control of their TB situation and protect their business.

We will explore the benefits of this approach through a project in Pembrokeshire, where TB presents an ongoing challenge. The project will focus on identifying residual disease risk in clear testing cattle and mitigating cattle-to-cattle transmission risk. This will be achieved by enhancing collaborative working relationships at a local level, empowering vets and farmers to make informed decisions and show leadership in disease control. This will inform our approach to communication and engagement, including the disease report form, Cymorth TB and action plans in chronic breakdowns. In the medium term, we will explore the remaining recommendations of the task and finish group, taking account of practicality and cost of delivery.

We are making progress with establishing new governance arrangements for our programme. Adverts for the publicly appointed programme board and technical advisory group will be published by the summer. The technical advisory group will provide expertise on several key policy areas, which will also include review of the management of in-calf TB-affected cattle. We are building on our approach to addressing TB hotspot clusters, with severe interpretation of contiguous and post-breakdown tests in affected areas in the low and intermediate TB area north from April.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency epidemiology team continuously monitors disease levels and trends to identify areas of concern and potential new and emerging disease clusters and inform necessary action. One such emerging area of concern is Anglesey, where annual incidence reached an eight-year high in 2021. To prevent TB becoming established, several actions are being introduced and others are being considered. Firstly, I intend to bring forward legislation to reintroduce pre-movement testing for cattle movements within and from the low TB area. Most respondents to our consultation were in favour of this approach, and it will have the added benefit of protecting Wales as a whole.

No TB-positive badgers have been identified in Anglesey through the 'badger found dead' survey between 2014 and 2022. Although this is encouraging, we need to prevent TB spreading to the badger population. Therefore, a badger activity and farm biosecurity survey has been undertaken on Holy island, where most of the badgers submitted for examination were found. Subject to the outcomes of this work, our intention is to vaccinate badgers on Holy island before considering the approach across all of Anglesey. Keepers in Anglesey also received a letter earlier this month providing further information on action they can take to protect their herd from TB, including responsibly purchasing cattle and raising the standards of biosecurity on farm.

In addition to reintroducing pre-movement testing, I am also intending to make other legislative changes to further strengthen our approach in Wales, for example extending the requirement for post-movement testing in the intermediate TB areas and enabling the display of TB-free herd information on ibTB to support farmers to buy responsibly. These changes were again looked upon favourably by respondents to our consultation. These, along with further changes, will be explored through amending the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010. Updates will be provided in due course.

Engagement on TB payments and informed purchasing will begin over the coming months to explore policy options with stakeholders and agree a way forward, making the necessary links with the sustainable farming scheme. Further legislative changes will be required to bring in new policies in these areas. We will also continue to work with both the UK and Scottish Governments on the development of a cattle vaccine, and the second phase of trials has now commenced. Cattle vaccination will be a powerful tool in our battle against this disease, and we will consider specific deployment options for Wales once a licensed product is available.

I will provide an annual progress update on the TB eradication programme and report against commitments in our delivery plan. I now call upon the farming industry and veterinary profession to unite with the Welsh Government and delivery partners to make further strides towards our shared mission, a TB-free Wales. Diolch.