Bovine TB: pre-movement testing extended to younger animals
Pre-movement testing for bovine TB has been extended to all cattle over 42 days old, unless the herd or movement meets an exemption.
Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most difficult animal health problems currently facing the farming industry. Testing cattle for TB before they are moved to a new location reduces the risk of the spread of the disease. Emerging evidence shows that new TB incidents are being prevented by TB pre-movement tests as well as routine surveillance tests. Infection is also being picked up earlier in high-risk herds.
Defra estimates that testing cattle over 42 days old will prevent 610 new incidents a year.
Pre-movement testing was introduced in March 2006 in England and May 2006 in Wales. This policy has been rolled out in two stages, to give farmers and vets time to adapt their businesses.
Further information
See:
Page published: 1 March 2007