Carwyn Jones: Accused of complacency

Dismissing claims TB could be "as serious, if not more serious," than foot-and-mouth Mr Jones admitted checks needed to be tightened.

But the comments on Tuesday prompted accusations that the minister was being "complacent", undermining the concerns of the farming community.

Welsh Tory Party leader Nick Bourne, said: "I think the comparison with foot-and-mouth is a false comparison, but the conclusion drawn by the minister is also false.

"A lot of the farmers I have spoken to feel that the minister is coming across as rather complacent on what's a serious issue."

He added: "It doesn't represent a threat to the food chain, but it does have an impact on the farmers."

Foot-and-mouth is the most virulent disease. Bovine TB is nothing like that

Welsh rural affairs minister, Carwyn Jones

The UK Government has already moved to play down reports the outbreak of TB in cattle in Conwy could prove to be worse than the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

It followed concerns raised by North Wales Divisional Veterinary Manager David Pugh who said the situation could be "as serious, if not more serious," than the foot-and-mouth spread.

However, last week animal health minister Elliot Morley said the comments were misleading.

He added that TB in cattle was confined to a small percentage of the UK national herd.

In a statement on Tuesday Mr Jones reiterated that.

"We've always had bovine TB, it has gone up over the last couple of years but we have never been free of it," he said.

The tests for bovine TB have been brought forward

"Although Bovine TB is serious, it's nothing like foot-and-mouth.

"Foot-and-mouth is the most virulent disease. Bovine TB is nothing like that."

Tests for TB on farms neighbouring the Pen Porchell Farm - where 10 cattle have been slaughtered - have now been brought forward.

The farms are not under any restrictions and it is not clear yet how many animals will be checked.

Critical

The assembly has admitted the TB testing programme across Wales is facing a backlog of around 5,000 - more than 300 of which were considered to be critical in February this year.

The rural affairs ministry, Defra, has introduced movement restrictions on herds which are overdue their six-month or 12-month tests for the disease.

There were more than 150 cases of TB in Wales last year and over 2000 cattle were slaughtered.

So far this year nearly 800 cattle have been culled.