Defra 'should learn from Wales badger cull'

The Welsh Assembly government was praised today for its plans to tackle bovine TB.

Roger Williams, Liberal Democrat spokesman on Wales, said the devolved administration's plans, including a "limited cull of infected wildlife" such as badgers, was the best approach.

At Welsh questions this morning he said Defra has "lost the plot" on bovine TB and suggested it should turn to Wales for advice.

Wales minister Wayne David said a range of measures and a mixed approach was required and the Welsh Assembly government's approach is backed by farmers.

He added that devolution is about learning from other administrations.

Alun Michael (Lab, Cardiff South and Penarth) said "the science is against a cull of badgers" and called on the Assembly government to think again.

Later in the session Paul Flynn (Lab, Newport West) complained about the lack of broadband in rural parts of his constituencies.

David said that increased investment would improve broadband access.

Shadow Wales minister David Jones said economic activity in Wales is worse than the rest of the UK and it has the most severe child poverty among the home nations. He asked if Welsh secretary Peter Hain had been "complacent" when he said Wales is still a rich country.

Hain replied that in comparison with Rwanda and most other countries in the world Wales is rich. He said it had suffered setbacks in the 1980s and 1990s but Wales is now in a strong position to invest in and support jobs and technology.

Michael Fabricant (Con, Lichfield) recommended the "near orgasmic experience" of eating Welsh cheese and asked what was being done to promote it internationally.

David told the House that Caerphilly is the best cheese in Europe and listed a range of measures that promote Welsh cheese to the world.