Find Out About Changes To TB Testing
UK - Farmers in England will have received a letter from Animal Health informing them of their parish testing interval (PTI) effective from 1 January 2010.
17 December 2009
1 minute read
The parish testing interval is the frequency of TB testing for premises in your parish and therefore generally for your herd. In certain circumstances however your herd testing frequency may be different to others in the parish. If so you will be advised accordingly.
Each year Animal Health advises herd owners of their new parish testing interval, which has been established by monitoring the level of TB in their area in the last 6 years .
A different approach is being applied to calculating parish testing intervals (PTIs) in England for 2010.
PTIs have traditionally been calculated using historical TB incidence figures which “follow” the spread of infection. For future testing arrangements, the Government has followed TB Eradication Group (TBEG) recommendations for a proactive approach to testing frequencies to be developed, which sets the TB testing intervals on the basis of the current disease picture. For 2010, an interim approach is being implemented that takes a significant step towards a more epidemiological and proactive risk-based assessment.
It is important that farmers make themselve aware of these new PTI and the requirements and connotations for testing that will follow. Read the questions and answers published by Animal Health by clicking here.
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