Bovine TB

Following the Ministers Oral Statement of 29 January 2013 a number of changes to the rules affecting cattle movements from herds in Wales came into force on 1 April.

In January, Environment Minister John Griffiths announced that there would be additional measures put in place to address bovine TB in Wales.

Environment Minister, John Griffiths, has announced changes to some bovine TB cattle and surveillance controls to provide a higher level of protection against the disease.

In January 2011, the Welsh Government adopted a change in TB terminology to bring Wales in line with European legislation.

Environment Minister, John Griffiths has announced that the Welsh Government and National Trust will be working together to tackle TB in Wales.

Over the last few months the Regional TB Eradication Boards have been active in developing new initiatives and continuing with ongoing work, despite apprehension over the scientific review.

Used alongside existing measures, vaccinating cattle against bovine TB has the potential to make a significant contribution to the eradication of TB in the future.

Mycobacterium Bovis, the bacterium that causes bovine TB, can infect a very wide range of species including most mammals.

In November 2011, the European Commission formally informed the Welsh Government that it has approved the UK TB Eradication Plans for 2012.

A number of changes to England’s compensation arrangements for TB reactor cattle and on Defra’s exemptions to the general requirement for cattle from certain herds to be Pre-Movement Tested will come into effect from 1 July 2012.

Following a review of Pre-Movement Testing (PrMT) exemptions in Wales a number of proposed changes to the regime have been identified.

All known goat keepers located within the Intensive Action Area (IAA) had their goats TB tested during the spring of 2012.

For TB compensation purposes in Wales, cattle are valued on the basis of their market value in accordance with the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010.

As part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to dealing with all sources of bovine TB, a five year badger vaccination programme has been established in the Intensive Action Area (IAA).

A Badger Found Dead survey has been established in the Intensive Action Area (IAA). Badgers found dead within this area will be collected for post mortem examination as part of the programme.

Following three months of behind the scenes preparations and a training programme for field operatives, badger vaccination in the Intensive Action Area has formally commenced and will continue throughout the summer and early autumn.

On 20 March 2012 John Griffiths AM, the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, announced a new Strategic Framework for bovine TB Eradication in Wales.

Should you have any questions or concerns about bovine TB please contact your private vet or the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratory Agency (AHVLA).

TB eradication in Australia took over 20 years. It was achieved by industry and Government working together, being brave enough to challenge existing practices, and sharing a long term vision.

Bovine TB is one of the most significant animal health issues in Wales.

The Welsh Government will launch a badger vaccination project as part of its work to eradicate bovine TB from cattle in Wales, Environment Minister, John Griffiths announced today.

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Alun Davies has issued a message to farmers following the Environment Minister's decision to pursue a programme of vaccination as part of its efforts to eradicate bovine TB.

A new report on the Epidemiology of Bovine Tuberculosis in Wales, produced by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, has been published.

At the time of going to print Environment Minister John Griffiths had received the independent report on the science behind the bovine TB Eradication Programme and was considering its implications.

Biosecurity visits offered to cattle keepers in the Intensive Action Area (IAA) and a surrounding two kilometre area have been part of efforts to tackle bovine TB in West Wales.

A new TB passport sticker scheme has been introduced in Wales by the TB Regional Eradication Delivery Boards. The initiative, which operates on a voluntary basis, enables the farmer/buyer to identify when an animal last had a clear TB test.

During 2010 and 2011 the North Wales TB Regional Eradication Board successfully piloted a scheme to supply farmers with stickers to place on individual cattle passports to show when they were last TB tested for movement purposes.

At the time of going to print the independent panel that is undertaking a review of the scientific evidence base regarding the eradication of bovine TB in Wales has met five times and has finished its face to face evidence gathering.

More farmers should be encouraged to sit down with their vets to develop herd and flock health plans to minimise the risk of diseases being brought onto their farms.

Annual TB testing in Wales is to continue for the foreseeable future as part of the on-going TB Eradication Programme.

Wales’ Chief Scientific Adviser Professor John Harries and the recently appointed Chair of the panel, Professor Christopher Gaskell, have announced the scientists that will make up the panel of experts conducting the review.

Wales’ Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor John Harries, has today named the scientist who will chair the review of the scientific evidence base regarding the eradication of bovine TB in Wales.

This review is part of the Government commitment made to take a science-led approach to evaluate and review the best way of tackling bovine TB.

Bovine TB has been identified in pigs kept on three farms in Wales in recent months. This highlights the fact that pigs are also susceptible to the disease.

This review is part of the Government commitment made to take a science-led approach to evaluate and review the best way of tackling bovine TB.

New legislation that will be of interest to the keepers of camelids (alpacas, llamas, guanacos, vicunas) goats and deer in Wales has been introduced by the Welsh Government.

Cattle testing positive for bovine TB are being DNA tagged to further strengthen controls preventing spread of the disease.

Following the identification of a TB reactor, Animal Health will arrange for an on farm valuation of the animal.

Key changes to TB terminology and TB breakdown policy became effective on 1 January 2011.

If you are concerned about Bovine TB, you will find some useful contact details below.

The three TB Regional Eradication Delivery Boards – set up in 2008 to investigate regional approaches to dealing with the disease in Wales – continue to play a pivotal role in the eradication programme.

Dairy farmers John and Hyw Roberts know only too well the problems associated with bovine TB, as it has impacted on their business since 2002.

The Welsh Government says it will continue to work with the Valuer Associations and other stakeholders to ensure that the TB compensation valuation system delivers a fair deal for farmers and taxpayers.

How many times have you overheard, ‘They (Animal Health) took my best cow and failed to find TB, so she didn’t have it after all!’

Prepared by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, February 2011.

The Welsh Government has set up an expert group to develop proposals on using a badger vaccine in Wales.

Veterinary Improvement Notices (VINs), introduced from 1 January 2011 as part of the TB (Wales) Order 2010, give Animal Health in Wales the legal authority to issue farmers with a notice to take certain actions to reduce the risk of spreading TB either within their own herd or to others.

Farmers need to be aware of the current reporting and TB testing requirements when moving cattle between different holdings, including movements to and from summer grazing or winter tack/housing.

Animal Health is strongly advising herd owners to arrange for their TB test to be completed as soon as possible once they receive their Test Notification Letter (TNL).

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has laid the Badger (Control Area) (Wales) Order 2011 to give the Welsh Government the power to cull badgers in an Intensive Action Area in west Wales.