Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010 (as amended)
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- APHA
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 11 compliance obligations
What you must do
11 compliance obligations under this legislation.
Management duties 6
Detain and isolate cattle notified for slaughter and restrict movement
If an inspector tells you that one of your cattle must be slaughtered because of tuberculosis, you must keep that animal on the part of your farm specified in the notice and isolate it from other livestock. You may only move the animal to the slaughterhouse, unless you obtain a licence to move it elsewhere.
Manage TB testing and control of bovine animals
Unlimited fineIf you keep cattle in Wales you must follow any test notice from Welsh Ministers, let inspectors or vets test your animals, isolate any reactors, restrict their movement, mark them, keep their milk out of bulk tanks and tell milk buyers if your herd is restricted. You also have to pay for testing and any costs the Ministers incur if you fail to comply.
Mark bovine animals when directed by an inspector or vet
If you keep cattle or other bovine animals, you must mark each animal in the way an inspector or an approved veterinary surgeon tells you to. The mark can be paint, a tag, a clip, etc., and is used to identify animals that have been tested. You must not alter or remove any marks that have been applied.
Notify Welsh Ministers and isolate suspected bovine TB animals
If you own, look after, examine or inspect a cow, bull or calf that you think might have tuberculosis, you must tell Welsh Ministers straight away and also tell the animal’s keeper (if you’re not the keeper). While waiting for a veterinary investigation, you must keep the animal on the same premises, keep it away from other cattle as far as possible, and treat any milk from it as if a formal restriction notice had already been issued.
Obtain Welsh Ministers’ consent before any TB work on cattle and follow reporting and movement rules
Unlimited fineYou must get written permission from the Welsh Ministers before you vaccinate, treat, take a sample from or test a bovine animal for tuberculosis. If you carry out a test you must report the result straight away, must not interfere with the test or any epidemiological investigation, and you cannot move the animal until a qualified inspector or veterinary surgeon has confirmed a negative result (or you have a licence to do so).
Operate approved finishing units in line with approval conditions
If you run a finishing unit that takes cattle from a restricted herd, you must first obtain approval from the Welsh Ministers (or the relevant Secretary of State in England/Scotland). The approval will set out where the unit can be located and what conditions you must follow. You must keep those cattle separate from any other bovine animals on the same premises and you may only move them directly to slaughter or under a licence issued by a veterinary inspector. Operating or moving animals otherwise is prohibited.
Notifications 2
Notify and isolate TB‑affected carcasses
If you have, examine or inspect a carcass that is known or suspected to have tuberculosis, you must tell Welsh Ministers straight away. You also have to keep the carcass on the same premises and keep it away from any other animals until a veterinary inspector checks it.
Notify Welsh Ministers immediately if M. bovis is detected
If your laboratory discovers the bacteria M. bovis in any sample taken from animals (or their carcasses, products or surroundings), you must inform Welsh Ministers straight away. This does not apply to samples where the bacteria was deliberately introduced as part of research.
Other requirements 1
Comply with conditions in written licences, notices or approvals
If your business receives a licence, notice or approval under the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order, you must follow any conditions written on it. This means keeping the document, checking any requirements, and acting on any changes, suspensions or revocations that are issued in writing.
Record keeping 2
Ensure cattle are identified correctly to claim TB compensation
If a cow you keep is slaughtered because of tuberculosis, you will only receive compensation if the animal has been fitted with ear‑tags and a valid Cattle passport as required by the Welsh identification regulations. Keep the identification records up to date so any compensation can be paid (it may be delayed or reduced if you owe the Welsh Ministers money).
Provide name, address and licence when inspected during animal movement
If you move a bovine animal under a specific licence (not a general licence), you must be ready to give the inspector your name and address, show the licence and let them copy it. This has to be done immediately when the inspector asks for it. Failure to comply could lead to enforcement action under the Order.
Penalties for non-compliance
2 penalties under this legislation. 2 carry an unlimited fine.
Manage TB testing and control of bovine animals
Unlimited fine
Obtain Welsh Ministers’ consent before any TB work on cattle and follow reporting and movement rules
Unlimited fine
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
31 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 12
- s.8 Notification of disease in bovine animals
- s.9 Notification of disease in carcases
- s.12 Tuberculosis testing bovine animal
- s.15 Prohibitions
- s.17 Notification of intended slaughter of animals
- s.21 Marking of bovine animals
- s.22 Isolation of M. bovis in a laboratory
- s.23 General provisions as to notices, licences and approvals
- s.24 Production of licences
- s.25 Enforcement
- s.26 Compensation for bovine animals slaughtered for tuberculosis question as
- ... Approved finishing units ... Approved finishing units
Powers 9
- s.7 Tests and samples: warrants
- s.10 Veterinary inquiry as to the existence of disease
- s.11 Veterinary improvement notice
- s.16 Isolation and prohibition on movement of animals
- s.18 Precautions against spread of infection
- s.19 Suspected animals in markets, shows etc
- s.20 Control of infection from other animals
- Approval of veterinary surgeons Approval of veterinary surgeons
- Biosecurity requirements notice Biosecurity requirements notice