Íæż½ã½ã

When questioned at last weekend's English Winter Fair on whether he had wanted the role of Defra Secretary, Mr Spencer said it was not a question of ‘putting my hat in the ring'. "This was a decision for the Prime Minister," he said

The Government's commitment to continue with the badger cull has been criticised by NFU as 'just warm words' which must be backed up in writing with a policy change

Joyce Watson's comments in the Senedd last week that dairy farms with perpetual TB 'should find another business' sparked fury amongst Welsh farmers and unions

Wales' Rural Affairs Minister said the policy of on-farm slaughter of heavily pregnant cows and heifers with TB is being considered as a ‘matter of priority' by her officials

Livestock farmers in Wales angry after Labour member for Mid and West Wales, Joyce Watson MS said dairy farms with 'perpetual TB should find another business'

Wales' Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said ‘steady progress' was being made in tackling bovine TB, but 'good biosecurity' on-farm was the best way to keep infection out

This week's letters from Íæż½ã½ã readers (October 27)

Ulster Íæż½ã½ã' Union president said the decision was a 'major blow' for livestock farmers, adding farming families have been on their knees due to this disease for generations

Politicisation of bovine TB is one of the reasons the disease crisis spiralled so badly out of control, and Labour's pledge to end badger culling if it comes to power next year therefore risks undoing all the progress that has been made.

With voters expected to go the polls in around 12 months' time, livestock farmers told Íæż½ã½ã future policy on controlling bTB should not be part of ‘the political debate to be used as a vote winner'