The Scottish Government

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Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis

ANNEX C

Altering testing intervals to suit local conditions and disease history

2. The calculation of testing intervals required by Directive 64/432/EC relies on the history of disease and does not take account of local knowledge and conditions. At the local level the SVS has the discretion to increase the frequency of testing over and above that required by the Directive by taking account of local knowledge and conditions thereby enhancing surveillance. The following is a summary of the process.
4. DVMs will review testing intervals periodically and consult with SEERAD veterinary advisers. The frequency of the review will depend on the recent history of the disease but should never exceed 24 months. In areas with a significant problem the reviews will be much more frequent. DVMs will take account recent history of the disease in the area under review, topography and local farming practice and follow the guidance below:
6. The testing interval should be reduced to annual where one or more of the following conditions arise:

7. 2. Parishes where disease has been confirmed in cattle on two or more holdings in the previous 5 years (where the possibility of purchased infection and contiguous spread has been eliminated).
   3. Parishes where disease has been confirmed in cattle on one holding in the last five years (where the possibility of purchased infection has been eliminated) and where disease has been confirmed in wildlife in the last five years.
   4. Parishes without confirmed disease in cattle or wildlife but where the proximity of confirmed disease in cattle or wildlife close to the parish border is likely to put cattle within that parish at risk.
   5. Any other parish in the vicinity of parishes tested more frequently, where in the opinion of the DVM, there is a significant risk of disease in cattle.
8. The testing interval should be reduced to every two years where one or more of the following conditions arise: ¹
9. 1. Parishes adjacent to annual testing parishes (unless the only confirmed disease in the affected adjacent parish is sufficiently distant or where an intervening geographical features provide a barrier).
   2. Parishes with a high number of unconfirmed breakdowns
   3. Any other parish in the vicinity of annual testing parishes, where in the opinion of the DVM, there is a need for more frequent testing that the provided by the base-line.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of parish outlines showing confirmed breakdowns and parish test intervals following application of the above criteria.

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