Pre-movement Testing in Great Britain
Following a consultation process on developing a new GB Strategy for bovine TB, Defra, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Executive established a number of key stakeholder groups, with the brief of providing recommendations to help introduce pre-movement testing in GB (with the addition of post-movement testing in Scotland).
Scotland
On 23 September 2005, pre- and post- movement testing was implemented in Scotland by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. The new TB (Scotland) Order places a legal requirement on Scottish herd owners to ensure that all cattle over 42 days of age have been pre-movement tested if moved from a 1 or 2 yearly tested parish , in addition when cattle have been received the holding will need to conduct a post-movement test on these received between 60/120 days of arrival in a Scottish herd.
England and Wales
On 27 March 2006, and 2 May 2006 respectively, Defra and the National Assembly for Wales introduced the pre-movement testing to help reduce the risk of spreading bovine TB through movements of cattle.
The policy was introduced in two phased to allow herd owners and LVI practices to adjust to the new requirements. Initially cattle less than 15 months of age are exempt.
From 1 March 2007 all cattle over 42 days of age moving out of a 1 or 2 yearly tested herd , must have tested negative to a TB test within 60 days prior to movement unless the herd or movement is exempt.
General
All pre-movement tests must be arranged and paid for by the herd owner. However, routine surveillance tests, paid for by the government will count as pre-movement tests for 60 days for animals for animals included in that test, which have tested negative.
Further Information
Page last modified: 2 April 2007
Page published: 2 April 2007