1 0 (1 ) Contiguous Testing Rules


The FUW is reminding members to make sure that they understand the rules surrounding contiguous TB testing before moving cattle. Herds that are contiguous to a TB breakdown


herd are not under restriction. However, if they are contiguous they will need a whole herd contiguous test. Two basic scenarios then arise: (A) If the last negative herd tuberculin test has been more than four months ago or longer, immediate contiguous testing (CON) is required. (B) If the last negative herd tuberculin test had been carried out less than four months ago, the contiguous test date (the end of the testing window) should be sixmonths fromthe start date of the last clear herd test. Farmers wanting to move cattle under scenario A will have to pay for a pre‐movement test if they cannot wait for APHA to conduct the whole herd contiguous test before moving animals. If testing can wait until APHA conduct the contiguous test, then a clear contiguous test will suffice as a pre‐ movement test, provided the movement takes place within 6 0 days from the test date. Pre‐movement testing is not usually required in


the LowTB Area. However, pre‐movement testing is required if the herd is due a contiguous test, a six month contiguous test, or a 1 2 month contiguous test. This requirement for pre‐ movement testing comes into effect 1 4 days after the date of the letter informing the keeper of the contiguous testing requirement. Pre‐movement testing also applies in the LowTB Area in the post‐ breakdown period, when a 6M, or a 1 2M test is due. Moving cattle from contiguous premises


without conducting testing will result in non‐ compliance withWelsh TB testing regulation.


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(3 ) NVL or ‘No Visible Lesion’ Cattle


Many cattle that respond positively to the Tuberculin skin test are classified as NVL (No Visible Lesions) at slaughter. The NVL diagnosis can be particularly distressing. The NVL diagnosis means that no lesions typical of


bovine TB have been found in the carcass. Usually this means that the infection is at an early stage and lesions therefore have not developed to a size which can be detected.Many lesions are no larger than the size of a pinhead and some studies suggest that approximately 6 0 per cent (3 in 5 ) of skin test reactors show no visible signs of TB at meat inspection in the slaughterhouse. This is because the skin test used in the UK can find TB long before cattle develop clinical signs. In other words, NVL status does not mean that the


animal was not infected with TB. Infections where lesions are found at slaughter are considered to be a higher risk to the herd.


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Every farmer will be contacted using three ways: • Verbally by home telephone or mobile number • By text message or email • By letter if option a or b is not available


You will continue to receive either an email or a text message from RPW Online, as well as the county office contact.


Why


sign up to the FUW service?


RPWis going fully digital and will increase the use of broadcast messages about important information. This can be a big problem for farmers, due to lack of reliable


broadband and because many farmers do not use email. This could mean farmers missing important updates to their Single Farm Payments, with potential penalties and issues with their claims which may cost farmers thousands of pounds. The


FUWwill make sure you never miss any important messages or updates


How much?


£1 5 0 +VAT for a trial period, then £1 9 5 +VAT thereafter


When?


A trial period for members in


Other


Members from other counties


interested in this service should


contact their local office


Contact 0 1 2 6 7 2 3 7 9 7 4 for more information


Carmarthen county fromMay ‐ September


(2 ) On‐farm slaughter


In 2 0 1 8 , around 1 .6 per cent of all cattle culled due to bovine TB in the UK (7 .9 per cent of cattle culled in Wales) were culled on‐farm. The FUW recognises that this is an incredibly distressing situation formembers and discussed this issue at a recentWelsh Government bovine TB meeting. According to theWelsh Government, 2 6 0 of the animals slaughtered on farm were


heavily in‐calf, 4 4 5 were medicated, 4 4 had no passport, 1 0 5 were slaughtered on farmdue to welfare reasons, 3 3 were dirty and one on‐farmslaughter represented an issue with abattoir capacity. A high volume of on‐farm culls were due to cattle being medicated. In order to


reduce this number, and therefore the distress caused by witnessing on‐farm slaughter, cattle keepers may wish to save any non‐essential medication until the TB test results are known at day two of the TB test (TT2 ).


(4 ) Badger Found Dead


The FUW is reminding its membership to report dead badgers for post‐mortem. This should help us get a clearer picture of the disease in wildlife. Members wishing to report a dead badger should not handle the carcass but should instead telephone 0 8 0 8 1 6 9 5 1 1 0 and provide the location of the badger for pick‐up.


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A NEWFUWservice takes theworry out of Rural PaymentsWales, using one simple but complete service which manages online accounts, giving members without the internet or those with unreliable connection instant information and complete peace of mind knowing that all their paperwork has been checked by trained staff with additional policy support. The new service will be a trial period formembers in Carmarthen county fromMay‐September


and new information will be sent to you directly as the farmer. Members from other counties interested in this service should contact their local office.


yme nts Let us check


the paperwork so you can get on with your day job


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