Bovine TB Wales

As part of the Welsh Governemnt’s bovine TB eradication programme it is introducing some new measures.  All Welsh cattle keepers have to TB test their cattle yearly.  From 1^st January 2014 any farmer who is found to be between 1 day and 3 months late in having their test will receive a penalty of 1% of their Single Payment, rising to 3% if they are between 3 and 12 months late and 5% for tests 12 months overdue.  In England the penalties are harsher – between 1 and 10 days late 1% reduction, 11 to 30 days a 3% reduction, tests 30 days overdue receive a 5% penalty.

In addition, as from 30^th September 2014 cattle moving within Sole Occupancy Authorities (SOAs) will no longer be automatically exempt from pre-movement testing.  Thiscould have major implications for those moving stock back from summer grazing; having previously used the SOA exemption they may have to pre-movement test before moving cattle back to winter housing.  Work is ongoing with AHVLA, collegues at DEFRA and industry representatives on how to minimise disruptions.  We will endeavour to keep readers informed.  In the long run SOAs are expected to end alongside a review of CPH numbers.