As a result, some of these may not have been sent to keepers over recent weeks.
It is important to note that these letters are guidance and the TB regulations state that it is the keeper’s responsibility to know which cattle require a post movement test.
However, many farmers that move animals onto their holding will have become accustomed to receiving the letters and as a result, may not realise there is a requirement to post movement test animals they have bought in.
NFU Cymru is therefore reminding members to be vigilant in checking if animals require a post movement test.
NFU Cymru is seeking clarification from APHA and Welsh Government on the situation and is pressing for pragmatic enforcement.
Key information on post movement testing:
• Post movement tests need to be completed between 60 and 120 days after an animal has joined a herd.
• A very limited number of exemptions apply in certain situations. For a complete list of exemptions, see the post-movement testing guidance available on GOV.UK.
• It is the keeper’s responsibility to arrange and pay for the post movement test. However, if the farm has any government funded tests scheduled during this time (e.g. annual surveillance test) then this can count.
• Post movement testing is usually required when you move cattle from a higher TB risk are into a lower TB risk area. You can check if a post movement test is required by looking at this Welsh Government table which details if either a pre or post movement test is required: https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2024-05/bovine-tb-pre-post-movement-testing-summary.pdf
Further guidance is available:
• APHA TB testing interval checker – you can put the CPH into this webpage and it will tell you what your TB testing interval is: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/tb.dat.apha/viz/BovineTBtestingintervals/TBParishChecker
• Welsh Government map showing the TB risk areas of Wales: https://datamap.gov.wales/maps/wales-tb-regionalisation/view#/
• Welsh Government guidance on pre and post movement testing: https://www.gov.wales/bovine-tb-pre-movement-and-post-movement-testing
TB Hub guidance on pre and post movement testing: https://tbhub.co.uk/resources/frequently-asked-questions/enhanced-surveillance-tb-testing/