From January 1st next year a number of new TB rules will come into force which will have a direct impact on farmers in the counties of Cumbria and Lancashire.
A risk based system which divided areas off into parishes to determine how often your herd was assessed for TB, has been scrapped.
Instead, there will be a county system with increased surveillance around confirmed TB breakdowns in counties which are relatively TB free and only require assessments every four years.
Lancashire and Cumbria both fall into this category. NFU North West’s TB expert, Adam Briggs, said: In practice this means that herds within a 3km radius of a confirmed TB case will require an immediate skin test and may then need follow up tests six months later and, if results are negative, 12 months thereafter.
"During this time, these herds will require pre-movement testing. There is concern that some farmers in Cumbria and Lancashire are not fully aware of what is coming in or the implications for them and their neighbours if TB is confirmed on their farm."
"With this in mind the NFU have arranged two meetings in December which will be aimed at farmers and vets to outline the new rules which are being introduced in January, dispelling some myths surrounding TB, the implications for them and their neighbours if TB is confirmed on farm and what measures can be taken to try and remain TB free."
