Government to pay for pre-movement testing

The Government has decided to meet the cost of one pre-movement test per English herd owner for cattle aged over 15 months of age and moving out of a 1-2 yearly tested herd in England. These transitional arrangements will end on 30 June. This decision also recognises the wider financial pressure the industry is facing at this time.

These payments will be made under EU state aid agriculture rules, which allow a maximum of E3,000 per business over three years.

The State Veterinary Service will be issuing guidance to Local Veterinary Inspectors to ensure they raise awareness with farmers and understand these short-term changes to the procedures.

Routine herd surveillance tests can be used as a pre-movement test, as long as the animals are moved within 60 days of a clear test, and will continue to be paid for by the Government.

Sustainable Farming Minister Lord Bach said:

This is an important measure that will help tackle bovine TB. Early indications are that the new system is settling in well, but the Government wants to ease the transition and ensure that pre movement testing is a success. We recognise that at present there are a number of farmers facing cashflow problems.

The State Veterinary Service will have procedures in place to process these new arrangements from 25th April.