Meet bovine TB testing requirements for cattle

Know your testing frequency

How often you must test depends on where your farm is located. England is divided into three risk areas based on TB prevalence in cattle and wildlife. APHA will notify you when testing is due, but you are responsible for ensuring tests happen on time.

Check your risk area

Use the APHA interactive map to check which risk area your holding is in:

1. Visit the APHA TB testing intervals page on GOV.UK
2. Enter your holding postcode or CPH number
3. The map shows which risk area applies to your land

If you farm in multiple locations: Each holding (each separate CPH number) may be in a different risk area. You must comply with the testing requirements for each holding separately.

Earned recognition in the High Risk Area

Some lower-risk herds in the HRA may qualify for annual (rather than 6-monthly) testing if they meet specific criteria:

• Fewer than 50 cattle with no more than one consignment from high incidence areas in the past 4 years
• Slaughter more than 25% of stock annually with limited imports from high incidence areas
• Slaughter more than 40% of stock annually

Contact APHA to check if your herd qualifies for earned recognition.

Pre-movement testing requirements

Pre-movement testing is a TB test you must arrange before moving cattle off your holding. This applies in the HRA and Edge Area.

Planning your movements

Timing tip: If your routine surveillance test is due within the next few weeks, consider timing cattle sales to fall within 60 days of that test. This avoids paying for a separate pre-movement test.

Cost: You pay for pre-movement tests. Budget approximately 5-15 GBP per animal for the tuberculin test, plus veterinary call-out and reading charges. For a herd of 50 cattle, this could cost 250-750 GBP plus vet fees per movement.

Scotland movements: If you are selling or moving cattle to Scotland, the pre-movement test is only valid for 30 days (not 60). Plan accordingly or you may need to re-test.

Post-movement testing requirements

Post-movement testing is required after cattle arrive on your holding from higher TB incidence areas. This protects your existing herd from potential infection.

Critical: Do not miss the 120-day deadline

If you fail to complete the post-movement test within 120 days of cattle arriving, your entire holding goes under movement restriction. You will not be able to sell or move any cattle until you complete the test.

Action: When you buy cattle from HRA or Edge Area, immediately schedule the post-movement test with your vet for 60-90 days after arrival. Do not leave it until the last minute.

Cost planning: Factor post-movement testing costs into your purchase decisions. A post-movement test on 10 bought-in cattle could cost 100-200 GBP or more including vet fees.

When TB is found in your herd

A "TB breakdown" occurs when one or more cattle react positively to a TB test (called "reactors") or when TB is confirmed at slaughter. Understanding what happens next helps you comply and protect your compensation.

Immediate actions you must take

1. Isolate reactors immediately - this is critical for your compensation
2. Do not move any cattle on or off your holding without APHA permission
3. Be available for reactor collection - APHA will arrange removal within 10 working days
4. Keep your records up to date - you will need accurate cattle records

Inconclusive reactors (IRs)

Animals showing a positive reaction not strong enough to be classified as a reactor are called "inconclusive reactors" (IRs).

• IRs must be isolated and movement restricted
• Re-test at minimum 60 days after the original test
• Second IR result = slaughtered as reactor
• In HRA, Edge Area, or breakdown herds: resolved IRs are restricted for life to the holding where found

Movement restrictions during breakdown

When TB is detected, APHA serves a TB2 notice that restricts all cattle movements on and off your holding. Understanding what movements are permitted can help you manage your business during restrictions.

How long will restrictions last?

Restrictions last until your herd passes at least 2 consecutive clear tests (60 days apart) and you complete cleansing and disinfection. This can take:

• Best case: 4-6 months if you clear quickly
• Average: 12-18 months
• Chronic breakdowns: Some farms have been under restrictions for 5+ years

Planning for licensed movements

APHA requires minimum 5 working days to process licence applications. Plan ahead:

• Apply early for any planned sales or movements
• Keep cattle test records ready to submit with applications
• Consider which markets or buyers can accept TB-restricted cattle

Compensation for reactor cattle

You receive compensation for compulsorily slaughtered reactor cattle. However, compensation only covers the animal's market value - not your business losses.

Understanding your compensation

In England: Compensation is calculated using table valuations based on 51 categories covering age, sex, pedigree status, and beef/dairy type. Monthly tables are published on GOV.UK.

Pedigree animals: To receive the pedigree rate, you must have a full pedigree certificate from a recognised breed society issued before the reactor was identified. Retrospective certificates are not accepted.

What is NOT covered:

• Lost breeding potential or genetic value above market price
• Business losses from movement restrictions
• Lost sales or inability to fulfil contracts
• Additional housing, feed, and labour costs during restrictions
• Cost of additional testing

Avoid compensation reductions

Your compensation can be significantly reduced - by up to 95% - if you fail to comply with testing requirements or reactor handling procedures. Understanding these rules is critical to protecting your financial position.

Key actions to protect your compensation

1. Never let testing become overdue - book tests as soon as APHA notifies you
2. Isolate reactors immediately - isolation is a legal requirement and failure can reduce your compensation
3. Present clean cattle at slaughter - unclean animals mean 50% reduction
4. Do not buy cattle during a breakdown unless your herd is CHECS accredited

The 60-day compensation grace period: No compensation reduction applies until testing is more than 60 days overdue - although movement restrictions apply as soon as a test goes overdue. Past 60 days, reductions escalate from 25% (over 60 to 90 days overdue) to 50% (over 90 to 180 days) to 95% (over 180 days).

Record-keeping requirements

Accurate records are essential for TB compliance and traceability. If there is a TB breakdown on a holding you have traded cattle with, APHA may trace animals back to your farm.

Records to keep available

• TB52 test chart: Shows date of last negative TB test for each animal
• Cattle holding register: All movements, births, and deaths
• Cattle passports: For all animals on the holding
• Movement exemption evidence: If claiming exemption from pre/post-movement testing
• TB204 movement licences: If under restriction

APHA can request to see these records at any time. Failure to maintain accurate records can result in movement restrictions while discrepancies are investigated.

Penalties for non-compliance

TB testing requirements are legally enforceable. Non-compliance can result in automatic movement restrictions, reduced compensation, penalty notices, and criminal prosecution.

Enforcement approach

APHA takes a graduated approach to enforcement:

1. Reminder notices as your test date approaches
2. Automatic movement restrictions as soon as testing goes overdue
3. Penalty notices for continued non-compliance (up to 5,000 GBP)
4. Criminal prosecution for serious or persistent breaches

Local authority involvement: Trading Standards can also investigate and prosecute TB-related offences. They can inspect your premises, examine records, and take enforcement action.

Reduce your TB risk

While testing identifies infected animals, biosecurity measures can help prevent TB entering your herd in the first place.

Wildlife management

• Prevent cattle accessing badger setts and latrines
• Raise feed and water troughs to discourage badger access
• Store feed securely where badgers cannot access it
• Remove potential badger attractants (fallen fruit, spilled feed)
• Consider badger-proof fencing for housing areas

Cattle management

• Minimise boundary contact with neighbouring cattle of unknown TB status
• Use double-fencing where practical to prevent nose-to-nose contact
• Isolate new arrivals until post-movement testing is complete
• Know the TB history of herds you buy from - ask for test certificates
• Consider buying only from Low Risk Area herds or herds with long clear testing history

Free advice available

TB Advisory Service (England): Free advice and visits for cattle keepers on reducing TB risk.

Cymorth TB (Wales): Free visits by specially trained vets for Welsh farmers.

TB Hub: Industry-funded online resource with comprehensive TB information.

Next steps

Use this checklist to ensure you are meeting your TB compliance obligations:

Immediate actions

• Check your risk area: Use the APHA map to confirm which risk area your holding is in
• Check your next test date: Contact APHA or check your records for when testing is due
• Review your cattle records: Ensure your holding register and passports are up to date

If you are buying cattle

• Ask sellers for TB test history and herd status
• Check if post-movement testing will be required
• Factor testing costs into purchase decisions
• Schedule post-movement test for 60-90 days after arrival

If you are selling cattle

• Check if pre-movement testing is required (HRA/Edge Area)
• Time sales within 60 days of routine test where possible
• Have TB52 test charts available for buyers
• For Scotland sales: ensure test is within 30 days

If you have a TB breakdown

• Isolate reactors immediately - it is a legal requirement and protects your compensation
• Do not move cattle without APHA licence
• Contact your assurance scheme if applicable
• Keep all paperwork and correspondence