On farm BCGcattle vaccination and DIVA skin testing (Detect Infected among Vaccinated Animals) activity in herds located in the low-risk areas of England and Wales is nearly complete.
The testing, which commenced in October 2025, is part of the third phase of the UK cattle vaccine field trials, which aims to further optimise the performance and delivery of the DIVA skin test following the initial announcement made in March 2024.
It is a vital step forward to deliver a potentially significant tool in the long-term strategy to eradicate this devastating disease.
United effort
Earlier phases, completed since July 2021, involved more than 1,100 cattle from 13 herds and demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of both the BCGcattle vaccine and the DIVA skin test under controlled conditions.
Recent studies have indicated that integrating a bTB cattle vaccination programme into control efforts has the potential to reduce cattle to cattle transmission, protect individual animals, and ease the emotional and financial burden on farming families.
The NFU and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) thank the significant number of farmers who completed an expression of interest in participating in the trials. The field trials can only succeed with the help of farmers and everyone playing their part to tackle bTB.
More information on how the results from the field trials will be used can be found at: GOV.UK | Cattle bovine TB vaccine field trials move to next phase.
Who took part?
The APHA recruited around 750 animals from at least 10 farms in the LRA of England and the low bTB area of Wales.
The trials involve a proportion of each herd, and animals must remain in their herds until the end of their productive lives. Full details of the eligibility criteria are available on the TB Hub.
