Farmers blame badgers for the disease spread

There has been a sharp increase in the number of cases of TB in cattle, with 127 so far in Wales in 2002 compared to 150 in 2000.

Although bovine TB is not a new problem, there is concern that the disease is spreading to areas such as mid Wales where cases have not previously come to light.

Cattle are routinely tested for TB, but last year's foot-and-mouth crisis has led to a backlog of tests.

Union officials have asked Mr Jones for more resources to speed up the testing programme.

They are also calling for more research into the source of the outbreaks.

Carwyn Jones denies TB will cause another crisis

In April, Mr Jones admitted that the testing programme for bovine TB needed to be intensified.

The warning followed a cull of TB-infected cattle on a farm in Denbighshire and the testing of animals on a further 50 farms in mid Wales.

But the minister dismissed claims that the TB problem could be as serious or worse than the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Many farmers have blamed badgers for the spread of bovine TB.

But this has been disputed by wildlife campaigners.

The results of badger cull trials in ten areas of England are not expected for another two years.

Some farmers have called for similar culls in Wales, but opponents have suggested testing badgers already found dead.