Defra has announced some changes to cross-compliance rules governing bovine TB testing. The rule change means some farmers who have been fined for overdue tests will get their money back.
 
From the start of January last year, failure to complete some types of bTB test within the testing window - the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) notifies farmers of these dates - has resulted in farmers being fined part of their CAP scheme payments under cross compliance rules. This rule was expanded on 1st January this year to include other bTB test types, such as short interval tests following a herd breakdown.

However, Defra published a note on its website on Wednesday, stating that it has changed the rules. Rather than having to have their cattle injected and the test read within the test window to avoid a cross compliance fine, now farmers need only ensure that the injection has taken place within the window.

However, the reading of the test still has to take place within 72 hours of the injection, as required by EU legislation.

The change has been welcomed by the NFU, whose advisers had been lobbying the environment department. In a statement, the union said the relaxation will help those cattle keepers who are doing their best to meet their statutory obligations. The change is designed to remove confusion about when cross compliance penalties are triggered.
 
John Royle, NFU chief livestock adviser, commented on Wednesday, “Farmers recognise the importance of having their bTB tests done on time as part of the fight against this disease and do everything they can to ensure this happens.
 
“While this is only a small change to the rule it is a significant one because it will be applied retrospectively, which means some cattle keepers who had been penalised will have their one per cent fine reimbursed.”