From April 6 2016, new legislation will require farmers in the Low Risk Area of England to arrange for post-movement testing of cattle coming from the rest of England and from Wales.
Three additional measures will also be introduced at the same time, following consultation last year:
- All herds in the High Risk Area of England affected by a new TB breakdown will need to pass two strict tests before movement restrictions are lifted, with the aims of increasing the chances of finding all infected animals in those herds, reducing recurrent breakdowns, and protecting other herds.
- Free pre-sale TB tests will be available to many herd owners in the Low Risk Area selling 20 or more cattle in a single purchase. This will enable sellers to provide additional assurance for buyers and mitigate the low risk of undetected TB spreading to new herds.
- The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will start offering the option of private Interferon Gamma blood tests to diagnose TB under certain conditions and subject to prior approval from APHA.
Further information about the new measures and how they will affect farmers can be found in the Guidance section of the TB Hub website.