The Welsh government has announced new measures to tackle bovine tuberculosis (bTB) will come into force on February 1.
The measures include reintroducing the pre-movement testing of cattle or other bovine animals located in the Low Tb Area (LTBA) of Wales.
This change is being made in response to an increase in the local spread of TB in the LTBA, some of which is due to legal localised movements of untested cattle, the government said.
Clear pre-movement test results will be valid for 60 days from the date of the injection of the skin test.
All cattle and other bovine animals which move into herds in the Intermediate TB Areas (ITBAs) of Wales from the High TB Area of Wales, the High Risk Area of England and from Northern Ireland will need a post-movement test (PoMT).
The test must be undertaken no sooner than 60 days and no later than 120 days after their arrival on the holding.
Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said the changes follow responses to the consultation on a refreshed approach to TB Eradication in Wales published in March last year.
“Our farmers are vital to Wales, and we fully understand the impact bovine TB has on their health, well-being and livelihoods,” she said.
“We are seeing progress in tackling the disease overall across Wales, with new herd incidents decreasing.
“It is important to recognise this, and the crucial steps farmers and vets are taking to keep their bovine animals free of TB.”
However, Griffiths said it is also clear that the TB situation varies regionally across the country.
“The reintroduction of pre-movement testing was also welcomed in consultation responses,” she said.
“As such, we are introducing these steps, from February 1, and taking a targeted approach in certain areas.
“The information which will be available on the ibTB webpages will also be helpful for farmers when purchasing cattle.”
TB-free Wales
Griffiths said farmers and vets working closely, including with government, is crucial to both protect herds and keep TB out, as well as tackling the disease if it does occur.
This, she said, will help achieve the goal of a TB-free Wales by 2041.
Chief veterinary officer Richard Irvine said: “The consultation on our approach to TB Eradication in Wales has informed our delivery plan and the introduction of these measures, and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this.
“TB can have a huge impact on farms, families and livelihoods. Therefore, it is important farmers continue to work closely with their veterinarians to maintain strong biosecurity and do all they can to protect their herds.
“The steps coming into place on February 1 will be important in maintaining progress to eradicate bovine TB from Wales.”
