Welsh government clamps down on late TB tests

Welsh cattle farmers face losing 1% of their single farm payment if they breach TB testing deadlines by a single day.

The Welsh government says it intends to take an additional 1% from a farmer’s direct payment if tests are between one day and three months late.

The new penalties are on top of the 5% fine in place for tests that are 12 months overdue and 3% for tests that go beyond three and 12 months.

Wales’ farm minister Alun Davies is getting tough on farmers who breach testing rules because they are undermining Wales’ TB eradication programme. He says identifying TB quickly through regular testing is an important part of that programme.

“The vast majority of farmers in Wales already comply with annual TB testing and arrange their tests in good time. However, a small minority do not and this undermines our eradication programme and increases the risk of TB,” said Mr Davies.

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