The Tuberculosis (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2017

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1379 (W. 122)) (“the 2010 Order”).

The amendments are contained in the Schedule to this Order.

Paragraph 1 introduces definitions of “collection centre”, the different tuberculosis areas in Wales, “licensed finishing unit” and “post-movement test”.

Paragraph 2 makes provision clarifying precautions against the spread of disease.

Paragraphs 3 and 10 replace biosecurity improvement notices with biosecurity requirements notices.

Paragraph 4 makes provision for facilitating the on-farm slaughter and subsequent removal of an animal tested for tuberculosis.

Paragraph 5 clarifies the circumstances in which a skin test cannot be used as a pre-movement test, and when a pre-movement test is not required.

Paragraph 6 inserts a new article 13A into the 2010 Order requiring keepers in the low TB area who receive bovine animals from herds in areas where there are a greater number of occurrences of tuberculosis, or from England or Northern Ireland, to arrange and pay for a post-movement skin test to be undertaken by an approved veterinary surgeon. The new article also sets out when a post-movement skin test is not required. The test must be undertaken no fewer than 60 days but no more than 120 days after the animals have arrived at the premises. If the test is not done then an inspector must impose movement restrictions on all bovine animals on the premises. The different tuberculosis areas in Wales are shown on the map entitled “Wales Regional TB areas”. Due to the scale of the map, it is not possible to annex it to this Order. The map can be accessed on the Welsh Government’s website at www.gov.wales/bovinetb.

Paragraphs 7 and 8 amend the numbering of the Schedule to the 2010 Order following the introduction of Schedules 2 and 3 by this Order.

Paragraph 9 amends paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the 2010 Order. It amends the maximum compensation value of an animal slaughtered for tuberculosis, and makes provision for the amount of compensation where an animal is not identified in accordance with the requirements of the Cattle Identification (Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/842 (W. 74)).

Paragraph 11 inserts new Schedules 2 and 3 setting out permitted movements without pre- or post-movement testing.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order. A copy can be obtained from the Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.