Environment Committee to discuss cattle compensation at final meeting

The Assembly’s Environment, Planning and Countryside Committee will discuss compensation for farmers with cattle affected by bovine TB at its final meeting. The Committee has previously published a report making various recommendations on how this problem should be tackled and has continued to monitor the issue and seek solutions. At the same meeting, Members will discuss the environment, planning and countryside budget and the Assembly Government’s draft dairy strategy. They will also hear evidence from a number of organisations, including the Countryside Council for Wales, on the implementation of an environmental strategy for Wales.  The Committee will also be told about the work of the EU in adapting to climate change. Glyn Davies AM, Chair of the Committee, said: “This will be the last meeting of the Committee in the 2^nd Assembly and it is therefore fitting that we will be discussing a number of highly-important topics. After the elections, in the 3^rd Assembly, we will have to rise to the challenge of new powers and we do not yet know what form Committees will take. We will be discussing our legacy at this meeting and outlining issues which any successor Committee could consider. In my view, issues such as bovine TB, climate change and waste management will continue to present a huge challenge.”