Bovine TB: Main legislation for TB in cattle
European Union (EU) Legislation
The requirements for routine testing of cattle for TB are set out in
EU
Directive 64/432/EEC, a trade directive covering health requirements
for cattle and pigs. A consolidated
version of the current directive 
(589 KB) is available.
Annex A to the Directive sets out the criteria for the bTB testing frequency for achieving and maintaining officially tuberculosis-free (OTF) status.
Annex B to the Directive lays down test procedures applicable for surveillance and trade purposes within the Community. Member States may authorise the usage of the gamma interferon diagnostic blood test in addition to the tuberculin skin test to enable detection of the maximum number of infected and diseased animals in a herd or in a region. This was permitted by Regulation 1226/2002.
Domestic Legislation
The domestic legislation which provides for the notification of disease, compulsory testing, slaughter, valuation and compensation, and restriction of the movement of affected herds in GB is set out in various legislation (listed below). This legislation is made under sections 32 and 34 of the Animal Health Act 1981.
The Tuberculosis (England) Order 2007 came into force on 6 April. This Order details the pre-movement testing regulations, and clarifies and strengthens the powers of Veterinary Inspectors for dealing with incidents of bovine TB, in respect of movement restrictions on herds where an official diagnostic test has not been carried out by the due date. It also enables improved surveillance of TB in cattle and the follow up of cases where bTB is found in other species. This Order also clarifies permitted animal movements in and out Approved Finishing Units, Exempt Finishing Units, Collection Centres and markets.
The TB (Wales) Order 2006 was introduced on 2 May 2006. The requirements for the Welsh herd owners are the same for English herd owners.
The TB (Scotland) Order 2005 was introduced on 23 September 2005 to reduce the chances of importing previously undetected bovine TB from areas that are relatively greater incidence of the disease.
Much of the legislation is available from the website of the Office of Public Sector Information.List of main domestic legislation
England
- The Cattle Compensation (England) Order 2006 SI No 168
- The Tuberculosis (England) Order 2007 SI No 740
Wales
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Compensation Order 1978 SI No 1483
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Compensation (Amendment) Order 1981 SI No 1412
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Compensation (Amendment) Order 1996 SI No 1352
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis (England and Wales) Compensation (Amendment) Order 1998 SI No 2073
- The Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2006 SI No 1053 (w 109)
Scotland
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Compensation (Scotland) Order 1978 No 1485 (S.137)
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Compensation (Scotland) (Amendment) Order 1981 No 1448 (S.144)
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Compensation (Scotland) (Amendment) Order 1996 No 1358 (S.126)
- The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Compensation (Scotland) (Amendment) Order 1998 No 2181 (S.111)
- The Tuberculosis (Scotland) Order 2005 No 434
Page last modified: 7 July, 2008