Win for farmers as Welsh Government announces changes to licensed TB unit rules

27 October 2022

After working closely with the NFU Cymru and the wider GB Calf Strategy stakeholder group, Welsh Government has announced two forthcoming changes to licensed TB unit rules which will provide greater flexibility for producers.

The changes will take effect from 31 December 2022 and will apply in Wales and England.

What are the changes?

TB Isolation Units (TBIUs)

The validity of a pre-movement test for cattle from TB-restricted holdings entering a TBIU will be increased from 30 to 60 days.

Approved Finishing Units (AFUs)

A pre-movement test will no longer be required for cattle moving directly between AFUs (with and without grazing) and indirectly via approved TB-dedicated sales (orange markets). These movements will still need to be licensed by APHA in the usual way.

For direct movements, as part of the veterinary risk assessment conducted before issuing a licence, APHA will review whether there has been any non-compliance recorded at the last annual audit of both the sending and receiving AFUs. If there are any unresolved non-compliances, the pre-movement testing dispensation will not apply.

Cattle (other than calves under 42 days old) moved from TB-restricted (breakdown) herds to AFUs directly or via orange markets will still require a negative tuberculin skin test within 90 days before the movement.

New Approved Finishing Units (AFU) finder

A new AFU finder will also go live on ibTB by the end of 2022, where users will be able to find their five nearest AFUs via the search facility.

NFU Cymru TB Focus Group Chairman Roger Lewis said: “This is a welcome announcement from Welsh Government and these small steps will enable greater flexibility for producers. It also demonstrates how working with the farming industry in partnership can deliver outcomes that benefit everyone whilst maintaining a dedicated focus on our shared goal of TB eradication.

The NFU Cymru TB Focus Group believe that licenced units like AFUs are a vital avenue of sale for those farms who find themselves under restrictions of movement due to TB. We will continue to work with wider industry to illustrate and champion practical solutions that can further improve TB licensed units to secure a future for these bio- secure outlets.”

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