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There are three changes taking effect from 1 January 2011 that will affect all cattle keepers in Wales: a change to the terminology used in describing the TB status of a herd; a move to a risk based approach for classifications of TB breakdowns across Wales; and the implementation of Veterinary Improvement Notices.

Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs said:

“Bovine TB is one of the biggest problems facing our cattle farmers in Wales, and we all must play our part to eradicate bovine TB.

“The changes are all being introduced because they will help us prevent the spread of bovine TB in cattle. Farmers and vets have been working with us over the past three years because we all want to see an end to the havoc that bovine TB wreaks on individuals, their businesses and the industry.”

Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales said:

“From January onwards, following a TB test (or series of tests) a herd will have a status of either, Officially TB Free (OTF); Officially TB Free Suspended (OTFS), or Officially TB Free Withdrawn (OTFW).

“Research we commissioned from the Veterinary Laboratory Agency has identified two factors that significantly increase the risk of the herd having a breakdown in the future.

“This is why from January onwards a herd with TB skin test reactors that has had its Official TB Free (OTF) status withdrawn in the previous 3 years, or is contiguous to a herd with its OTF status withdrawn will have its OTF status withdrawn and require two clear herd tests to regain OTF status, regardless of the results of post mortem examination or culture.”

These changes were outlined in the UK TB Eradication Plan currently being considered by the European Commission.

Since 1 May all cattle herds in the Intensive Action Area experiencing a new TB breakdown have had to have two clear TB tests in order to become Officially TB Free and have their movement restrictions lifted. This will continue.

Cattle keepers will be receiving letters in November and December explaining these changes and also reminding them that annual testing in Wales is continuing for the foreseeable future and that they need to start planning for their 2011 TB test.

Veterinary Improvement Notices are part of the TB Wales Order 2010 and apply to Wales only. It will give Animal Health in Wales the legal authority to issue cattle keepers with a notice (Veterinary Improvement Notice) to take certain actions to stop them from potentially spreading TB or face possible cuts to any future TB compensation claim.

Welsh Assembly Government staff will also be on hand at the Winter Fair to explain these changes to cattle keepers. You can also ring your regional Animal Health office for more information.

What the changes are

Terminology change

From January the terms ‘confirmed’ and ‘unconfirmed’ to describe the health status of a TB breakdown will not be used.

In order to align Wales with other countries in the EU following a TB test (or series of tests) a herd will have a status of either:

• Officially TB Free (OTF),
• Officially TB Free Suspended (OTFS), or
• Officially TB Free Withdrawn (OTFW).

From 1 January 2011, All OTF Suspended TB breakdown herds which have either had TB present within the herd during the last three years or are contiguous to a herd with TB currently will have their OTF status Withdrawn unless a veterinary risk assessment decides that there is justification not to apply the default OTF Withdrawn status.

In all cases where Officially TB Free status has been Withdrawn, two clear TB skin tests will be required in order for TB movement restrictions to be lifted.

For OTF Suspended one clear TB test is needed in order for movement restrictions to be lifted.

In 2009, this new policy would have resulted in 231 herds in Wales having their OTF status withdrawn, that equates to 36% of all OTF suspended TB breakdown herds.

Veterinary Improvement Notices

The introduction of Veterinary Improvement Notices will give Animal Health in Wales the legal authority to issue farmers with a notice to take certain actions to stop them from potentially spreading TB or face possible cuts to future TB compensation.

The Veterinary Improvement Notices were introduced as part of the TB (Wales) order 2010 in May 2010 and will be implemented from 1 January 2011 .

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