Following the consultation on the Wales TB Eradication Programme which closed in January, the Welsh Government has published the Wales TB Eradication Programme Delivery Plan. From 1st October 2017, there will be a regionalised approach to TB eradication in Wales with the introduction of Low, Intermediate and High TB areas. This will enable measures to be more tailored to the different areas. For chronic herd breakdowns there will be bespoke action plans drawn up. In addition, where badgers are viewed to be contributing to the persistence of disease in chronic herd breakdowns, they will be trapped and tested. If found positive they will be humanely killed. Other key changes from 1st October include:
- All cattle moved into the Low TB Area will require a Post-Movement Test (PoMT), this includes cattle moving from the High Risk and Edge Areas in England.
- Pre-Movement (PrMT) will not be required for cattle moving within or from the Low TB Area.
- In persistent and recurrent herd break downs, the ‘clearing’ test (the test that lifts TB restrictions) will no longer be allowed to be used as a Pre-Movement Test, a further PrMT will be required after 60 days.
- All Inconclusive Reactors (IRs) in chronic herd breakdowns will be slaughtered.
- In cases of persistent herd breakdowns, where cattle are moved under licence within a CPH, compensation will be reduced by 50% if the animals are subsequently slaughtered as a result of TB. Keepers will be given time to restructure their holdings.
- The current cap of £15,000 per animal will be reduced to £5,000
- Phasing out of Exempt Finishing Units by 1st January 2018
TB levels were at their highest in Wales in 2008-09 and the number of new incidents has fallen by 41% since then, but recently the number of cattle being slaughtered has risen. However, this has been attributed to the increased use of the more sensitive interferon-gamma test and a more severe interpretation of the skin test. Later in the year an eradication target and interim milestones for the regions and Wales as a whole are expected to be announced.