FAQs
Here are some of our frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch…
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To carry out a TB test, we visit your farm on day 1 and inject your cattle and return on day 2, 3 days later to inspect the test injections and carry out any measurements necessary. We carry out these tests on either Monday & Thursday, or Tuesday & Friday.
For all official tests – whole herd tests, tracer tests etc, APHA send you a letter to inform you of impending tests – please phone us as soon as you receive notification of a test so that we can book it in and accommodate you. The larger the test and the less time you give us, the less able we are to accommodate you.
Pre movement testing. Cattle over 42 days of age moving from one holding to another must be TB tested. Once tested, they can move for up to 60 days – from the first testing day (day 1)
Post movement testing. This must be carried out where you have purchased an animal from a higher risk area than the one you are moving the animals onto – for example, from a high incidence area to an intermediate or low incidence area. Bovine TB: pre and post movement testing summary
The timing of the test is quite specific – the animal must have been moved onto your holding for 60 – 120 days – at least 60 days ago and no more than 120 days ago. Guidance: bovine TB pre-movement and post-movement testing - GOV.UK
These tests cannot be carried out less than 60 days after any TB test – for example, a whole herd test.
Different types of test
WHT – whole herd test, all animals over 42 days of age on day 1 of the test
TR – tracer test for an animal that has moved to your holding and the original holding has since tested positive for TB
CON – contiguous test, where one of your neighbours has been disclosed with TB
SI – short interval, where your holding is on 60 day testing
I-I – check test, where your herd has gone down with TB at the abattoir or a pre-movement/tracer test and the rest of the herd needs to be tested asap
IR – inconclusive reactor. Where an IR was disclosed at a recent test and is now being retested at least 60 days after the original test.
Testing for shows – you do NOT need to TB test an animal to go to a show if the animal is there for less than 24 hours and is NOT housed inside.
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These drugs include all antibiotics, pain killers, vaccines and many more. If you phone to order these drugs, the reception staff need to authorise dispensing them.
In order for the vets to be able to prescribe/give out POMs, the animals must be “under our care” – which we interpret, on advice, as us knowing ‘what is going on’ on that farm – that we have knowledge of diseases occurring on the farm, how experienced the farmer is etc. This means that we need to have been to your holding and examined at least a cow or sheep or other species within the last 12 months.
If you have not needed a visit within the last 12 months, and we have not been out to you, when you phone for drugs, if any of those drugs are POMs, we will need to come out and do a POM visit – this involves inspecting some of your stock (all species), seeing your medicine book and herd/flock plan – or constructing one.
These visits are charged on visit plus time, so the more efficient you are, the cheaper it is.
Please do not turn up at the office to collect drugs that you have not ordered – unless there is a vet there at the time, the receptionist will not be able to dispense the POM drugs.
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If you are not farm assured (eg, FAWL), you will need to have a VAN/POAO certificate if you intend to send animals for slaughter. This is to comply with a part of Brexit rules – in case any of the carcass is sold into the EU. Even if you do your own meat boxes, sometimes the hide may be sold by the abattoir – probably worth checking.
If you need us to come and do a POAO, this is what is involved:
Visit to establishment. We need to see all locations where stock are.
Assessment of animal health – on site inspection and visualisation and advice to you on any concerns. We will want to inspect your stock – some of each species on the establishment, and your medicines book and storage.
Assessment of biosecurity and advice to you on any concerns.
The frequency of these visits is at the discretion of the veterinary surgeon and will be stated in the declaration. The minimum requirement is within 12 months.
Where there is more than one site under the same CPH number, all sites will need to be inspected.
We will also make you aware of signs of the occurrence of notifiable and reportable diseases in the relevant species visit.
These visits are charged on Visit plus certificate plus time – so the more efficient you are, the cheaper it is.
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What is Bluetongue, and why is BTV‑3 a concern?
Bluetongue is a viral disease spread by biting midges, affecting cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and other ruminants. The BTV‑3 strain, newly identified in northern Europe, causes more severe clinical signs than past strains, including reproductive issues and visible illness, especially in sheep and youngstock.
What areas are affected?
From 1 July 2025, all of England will be classed as a Bluetongue Restricted Zone. This allows freer movement of livestock within England, but restrictions still apply to movements into Wales and Scotland, where pre-movement testing and licences are still required.
Check the government zone map and updates »
Are vaccines available?
Yes, three vaccines for BTV‑3 are now licensed and in use across the UK:
Bultavo‑3
Bluevac‑3
Syvazul BTV‑3
Vaccination is the most effective way to protect your animals, prevent trade disruption, and reduce losses.
Contact us to discuss vaccination timing, costs, and availability.
Do I need a licence to move animals?
Within England (the RZ): From 1 July, movement licences and testing are no longer required for most routine moves within England.
Within Wales/ Scotland - no movements currently require a licence
To Wales or Scotland from the Restricted Zone: You’ll need a licence and a pre-movement test, unless exemptions apply.
Read full Defra guidance on movements »
What are the signs of Bluetongue in animals?
Look out for:
Fever
Swelling of the head, neck, or mouth
Lameness
Drooling or mouth ulcers
Reduced fertility, especially in bulls and rams
Sudden drop in milk yield
If you spot any symptoms, call your vet immediately.
How do I calculate the cost/benefit of vaccination?
You can use the AHDB Bluetongue vaccination calculators for:
Sheep
Beef cattle
Dairy cattle
Use the AHDB vaccination calculators »
Where can I stay up to date?
Watch the AHDB webinar from June 2025 for the latest expert insights
Gov.uk guidance is regularly updated with movement rules, zone changes, and licensing info.
