Welcome to the monthly bulletin from Iechyd Da. You will find useful information and updates all in one place.
BVD legislation, Testing and Practical Tips for Vet practices
As of 1st July 2024, it will become law that all Welsh holdings are required to know their BVD status, and they will be required to complete their first annual screen by the end of June 2025.
All holdings will begin as BVD non negative, as there will be no historical data transferred onto the database. We are seeking clarification on the position regarding current CHECS accredited herds. Farmers will receive notification of the requirement to carry out a BVD screen at the same time as their annual TB test. More information can be found here.
TB Isolation Units
There is a forthcoming change to TB Isolation Unit (TBIU) rules.
TBIUs are useful for owners of some TB affected herds as they provide an outlet for calves or store cattle from TB restricted holdings that do not have sufficient rearing facilities. TB IUs can source cattle under license from a single TB-restricted holding and currently a period of up to six weeks (42days) is allowed to fill the unit. From the 30th August 2024, the entry window will be extended to 60 days, thus making it easier for keepers to fill their TBIUs. Further information can be found here.
TB Skin Testing of Calves under 42 days old
All Short Interval Tests (SIT), Check Tests (Investigation & Intervention) (CT(I-I))and Check Tests (Exposure Mitigation) (CT(EM)) with a TT1 date on or after 15th June 2024, will no longer require calves under 42 days old to be tested by default. When submitting results for any of these tests, testers should use the iSam ‘Not Tested’ reason of “Not Eligible for this test’ for any bovine animals aged under 42 days at TT1 of the SIT, CT(I-I) or CT(EM) listed in the CTS download. If it is only these bovine animals that have not been tested, the TB test should be submitted as “complete” on iSam. Please read the full briefing note here.
