Approved finishing units and TB dedicated sales: frequently asked questions

Since 1 January 2021, a single move has been allowed for any individual animal from an AFU in Wales, or an AFU/AFUE in England to an AFU in Wales, allowing facilities specifically targeted at the rearing of younger animals to be set up.

Since 1 July 2021, cattle from an AFU can be licenced to move through a TB Dedicated Sale (Orange Market) to another AFU in Wales or to an AFU / AFUE in England. Unsold cattle from an AFU in Wales can be returned from a TB Dedicated sale to an AFU. An unsold animal returning from a TB Dedicated Sale to an AFU does not count as a move for these purposes.

Operators of these units can purchase calves from multiple TB-restricted and TB free herds. The cattle can be reared for a period of time and have options at the appropriate age to be moved to another AFU either directly, or via a TB Dedicated Sale (“Orange market”), be sent to an approved slaughter gathering or to slaughter.

A condition in the movement licence is that an individual animal can only move on a single occasion from an AFU/AFUE in England or an AFU in Wales to an AFU in Wales.

Animals that have already moved into an AFU in Wales from an AFU, or an Approved Finishing Unit (Enhanced) with grazing (AFUE), can be moved under licence to a TB Dedicated Sale, but a licence condition is that they can then only be sold at the TB Dedicated Sale for slaughter, or to an AFU / AFUE in England.

AFUs and TB Dedicated Sales can only be approved in the High TB Areas of Wales.

How can I apply for approval of a Rearing Approved Finishing Unit?

There are no differences in the application or approval processes for a rearing AFU and an AFU growing cattle on for slaughter. To apply, please read the guidance notes and complete the application form available on GOV.UK. Please make sure that you supply all the relevant supporting documents (e.g. site plan), otherwise your application may be delayed. If you need help completing the application form, or require more information please contact Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Wales on 0300 3038268 or APHA.CymruWales@apha.gov.uk.

What is the process following submission of my application

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will assess your application form and may need to contact you for additional information. An APHA vet will then visit the unit to check that the terms and conditions of approval and operation can be met. If the visit is satisfactory then APHA will approve the unit. If the terms and conditions cannot be met then APHA will explain the reasons why, and what needs to be done to approve the unit.

What happens once a unit is approved?

APHA will request a unique County Parish Holding (CPH) number for the AFU once it is approved. This will be issued by Rural Payments Wales (RPW). You will be notified of the new CPH and then need to register this CPH with the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS).

APHA will also request that the details of your AFU are added to the list of AFUs on GOV.UK and the AFU will be entered on ibTB (see ibTB - Mapping bovine TB (bTB) in England and Wales).

Where can AFUs in Wales source cattle under licence from?

AFUs in Wales may source cattle under licence from:

• TB-restricted premises in Wales, England and Scotland
• TB Dedicated Sales (“orange markets”) in Wales, or England 
• On-farm dispersal sales in England only
• Other AFUs in Wales and AFU/AFUEs in England
• Unrestricted premises in Wales, England and Scotland.
• Green, or Exempt markets in Wales, or England.

Where to and when can cattle within an AFU in Wales and England move off under licence?

Cattle within an AFU in Wales and England can only move off under licence:

• Directly to a slaughterhouse in Wales, England or Scotland.
• To slaughter via an Approved Slaughter Gathering for TB-restricted cattle (red market) in England or Wales. This can be a sale or collection. 
• Directly to another AFU in Wales or England. An animal can only move on a single occasion from an AFU in Wales, or an AFU/AFUE in England, to an AFU in Wales. 
• Through a TB Dedicated Sale (Orange Market) to another AFU in Wales or to an AFU / AFUE in England. Animals that have already moved into an AFU in Wales from an AFU, or an AFUE, can be moved under licence to a TB Dedicated Sale, but a licence condition will be that they can then only be sold at the TB Dedicated Sale for slaughter, or to an AFU / AFUE in England.

Can cattle be moved from an Approved Finishing Unit to a TB Dedicated Sale (Orange market)?

Yes, cattle from an AFU can be licenced to move through a TB Dedicated Sale (Orange Market) to another AFU in Wales or to an AFU / AFUE in England. Animals that have already moved into an AFU in Wales from an AFU, or an AFUE, can be moved under licence to a TB Dedicated Sale, but a licence condition will be that they can then only be sold at the TB Dedicated Sale for slaughter, or to an AFU / AFUE in England.

Cattle moving from a TB Dedicated Sale (orange market) in England and Wales can only be moved to an AFU in Wales, an AFU/AFUE in England, or to an abattoir. However, certain requirements in milk contracts may stipulate the move to an abattoir cannot happen until a calf is over eight weeks of age.

Any animal can only move once from an AFU to an AFU in Wales.

Are movements between AFUs allowed?

Any animal can only be licensed on a single occasion to move from an AFU to an AFU in Wales, enabling for instance, a movement from an AFU set up to rear calves to an AFU set up to grow animals on for slaughter. These movements will only be allowed following a veterinary or veterinary based assessment of risk. There is no policy intention to prevent such moves, unless there is a very high risk identified.

What are the testing requirements for movements between AFUs?

From 31 December 2022, a pre-movement tuberculin skin test will no longer be required for cattle moving directly between AFUs (with and without grazing) or indirectly via an approved TB-dedicated sale (orange market). These changes will apply in England and Wales.

A clear pre-movement test of cattle of 42 days or older within 90 days of a move will still be required for any moves to an AFU/AFUE, or TB Dedicated Sale from an AFU that is non-compliant with approval conditions at the last APHA inspection visit.

Any AFU that is non-compliant with approval conditions at the last APHA inspection visit cannot move on eligible animals of 42 days, or older from an AFU /AFUE or TB Dedicated Sale that have not received a clear pre-movement test within 90 days of the move.

Movements of cattle from an AFU directly to another AFU or indirectly via an orange market will still need to be licensed by APHA.

This policy change will be subject to review after a 12 month period.

Please note that cattle moving from TB-restricted (breakdown) herds to AFUs (directly or via orange markets) will still require a negative tuberculin skin test within 90 days before the movement (excluding calves under 42 days old).

How frequent will surveillance testing be required at AFUs?

Surveillance testing for all AFUs in Wales will continue to be at 6 monthly intervals, but will only include cattle of 180 days and over. The testing interval will continue to be at 90 days during a TB breakdown for all animals on the unit. APHA may decide to include animals under 180 days old in AFU surveillance tests if there are risk-related reasons to do so.

What happens if a TB breakdown is detected at an AFU?

When a TB breakdown is detected at an AFU in Wales, movements to slaughter can continue directly and through approved slaughter gatherings. The movement of clear tested animals can continue under licence to another AFU in England or Wales subject to a veterinary risk assessment. If the last test results indicate too high a risk of infected cattle moving to another AFU, the movement will not be allowed. This can occur when there are high numbers of reactors, or animals with lesions, which cause concern about a high risk of transmission.

Can young calves be purchased from multiple TB restricted holdings?

The operators of AFUs can purchase cattle from multiple TB restricted holdings, or Officially TB Free holdings, rear them and at the appropriate stage in the production cycle move them on to another AFU capable of taking them to slaughter weight, or send them directly to slaughter. This allows for the different management needs for each age group of animal.

A condition in the movement licence is that an individual animal can only move on a single occasion from an AFU in England or Wales to an AFU in Wales.

What are the rules for Inconclusive Reactors on farms?

Clear tested animals (in the 90 days before a move), or animals under 42 days, can be licensed from a TB restricted holding to an AFU, or a TB Dedicated Sale when Inconclusive Reactors (IRs) remain on the origin holding, although IRs, of course, cannot be licensed from the premises. Where reactors or blood test positive animals remain on a holding, clear tested animals cannot be licensed off until the skin or blood test reactors are removed and post-mortem results known. There are other reasons which may lead to APHA refusing a licence. With respect to resolved IRs restricted for life in English holdings under a TB197 Notice, these can be licensed to an AFU in Wales, or through a Welsh TB Dedicated Sale on a specific licence (the general licence on GOV.UK does not cover moves into Wales).

If a farmer has one clear test remaining before TB restrictions can be revoked, can he/she then send animals to an AFU?

From October 2023, calves of under 90 days of age (on day of movement) originating from dairy herds only, will be allowed to move to an AFU in Wales, or England, or an AFUE in England. when there is only one potential herd clearing test is remaining.

There will be no requirement for further testing of these calves prior to release of restrictions at the herd of origin, following a final clear herd test. The potential herd clearance test can be completed at any time after the movement, provided it is in the testing window provided by APHA.

Otherwise, animals from Welsh holdings can only be moved to an AFU, if the herd is due two more Short Interval tests.

What do I do with my uneconomic calves if I am down with TB and my milk buyer insists that they have to stay alive to 8 weeks of age?

The options for your uneconomic calves are as follows:

• Rear them on farm.
• Send to an AFU in Wales, or an AFU/AFUE in England
• Send to a TB Dedicated Sale – check first with the auctioneer that they can ensure the animals will be sold to an AFU operator only.
• Set up a TB Isolation Unit on another holding (IUs are only allowed in the Intermediate Mid, or High TB Areas).
• Sell to another farmer under TB restrictions – this will need to be a low risk move for a licence to be allowed. Any move onto a TB restricted holding can result in a 50% compensation reduction, unless that move is from a TB restricted holding to an AFU.

It is your responsibility, as the seller, to ensure that you get confirmation with a market operator, or an AFU operator, that these animals will be only sold to an AFU operator for rearing, or will be reared at an AFU, to at least 8 weeks of age.

Can you sell calves in the time between the initial breakdown test and the first short interval test?

Before completion of the first post breakdown Short Interval Test (SIT), following the suspension or withdrawal of your Officially TB Free status, the risk is unknown. Movements may only be considered, following a risk assessment to:

• slaughter, directly or via a TB Dedicated Sale (orange market), or an Approved Slaughter Gathering (Red market)
• an AFU/AFUE directly or via a TB Dedicated Sale, or 
• a TB Isolation Unit.

Are there are any TB Isolation Units (IUs) in Wales and are they in high risk areas only?

TB Isolation Units (IUs) can only be set up on an OTF holding, and a TB Isolation Unit can only hold cattle from your holding. These are indoor units with high levels of biosecurity, which have to be filled and closed within 6 weeks. From 31 December 2022, animals of 42 days and older moving to a TB Isolation Unit need to have had a clear TB test within 60 days of the move.

TB Isolation Units can only be approved in the Intermediate Mid and High TB Areas of Wales. Once closed the cattle usually need two clear Approved Segregated Group (ASG) tests at least 60 and 120 days after closure of the IU, before the cattle in the IU can be released from TB restrictions.

Can animals other than cattle enter an AFU?

No, they are approved for cattle only.

Will pregnant cattle be approved?

No, they are not intended for pregnant animals and no breeding nor milking should take place within the unit. Contingency plans must be in place for any calves born unexpectedly in the unit.

When can an AFU regain official TB free status (OTF)?

An AFU must be under TB movement restrictions (TB02) at all times. An AFU can only seek to regain officially TB free (OTF) status once depopulated and the unit has been fully cleansed & disinfected.

Are there conditions as to where an AFU can be located?

All AFUs must be self-contained units, isolated from other cattle and have clear and discrete boundaries. In Wales all AFUs must be indoor units and located only in the High TB Area of Wales.

Can an AFU be registered under the same County Parish Holding as the farm?

No, they must be registered under a unique permanent County Parish Holding (CPH) number.

The unit cannot have a temporary CPH (tCPH) or Temporary Land Association (TLA) registered against it.

Is an inspection of the unit required, if so, how frequently?

APHA inspection of the premises and records is carried out at least twice a year and may be unannounced.

Strict biosecurity requirements must be in place, including wildlife proofing of buildings.

What compensation implications are there?

If cattle from a TB restricted holding move to an AFU under licence and are later found to be reactors at 6 monthly testing, there will be no 50% compensation reduction applied for movement under licence.

If cattle from an OTF (officially TB Free) herd move to an AFU under licence and are later found to be reactors, a 50% reduction to compensation will be applied.

Where in Wales will the TB Dedicated Sales operate?

In the High TB Areas only. TB Dedicated Sales are not allowed in the Low, or Intermediate TB Areas of Wales, to be consistent with our TB Eradication policy in relation to AFUs.

Will TB Dedicated Sales be available to cattle over 8 weeks of age?

TB Dedicated Sales are also available to animals over 8 weeks of age which are eligible for entry into an AFU.

Can cattle from an AFU be licensed to a TB Dedicated Sale?

Yes, cattle from an AFU can be licensed to a TB Dedicated Sale. Animals that have already moved into an AFU in Wales from an AFU, or an AFUE, can be moved under licence to a TB Dedicated Sale, but a licence condition will be that they can then only be sold at the TB Dedicated Sale for slaughter, or to an AFU / AFUE in England.

Are there rules on the number of gatherings held at the same approved gathering site as a TB Dedicated Sale?

Approved TB Dedicated Sales cannot simultaneously be held with any other animal gathering. Other gatherings will not be permitted on the same premises unless there is a clear separation in time from other markets and suitable cleansing and disinfection has been completed, as required by the Animal Gatherings (Wales) Order 2010. An Official TB Free gathering cannot be held after an approved TB Dedicated Sale on the same day in Wales.

As a purchaser, is there a requirement to provide eligibility evidence to move cattle from the market?

All purchasers will need to provide evidence to the market that they fulfil the criteria to move cattle from the market. They must either present an approval as an AFU/AFUE, or confirm that they will move all animals directly to slaughter and identify the slaughterhouse they will move to.

How will the market keep track of all TB restricted cattle sold?

The auctioneer will be required to collate a schedule, broken down by holding of origin, of all the TB restricted cattle sold. The schedule must provide details of the vendor, the animal, the buyer and the AFU/AFUE or slaughterhouse of destination. This schedule will need to be sent electronically to APHA within 24 hours of the end of the sale.

A check on returns will be carried out by APHA to assess if animals have reached the correct destination according to the Cattle Tracing System (CTS). Movements with unexplained conflicting entries on CTS will be investigated and the number of discrepancies and the rate of non-compliance will be monitored for each market.

What happens to unsold cattle?

Unsold cattle from a TB restricted holding cannot be returned to the home holding. Unsold cattle can return to an AFU from a TB Dedicated Sale. It is for market operators to set a market policy on how unsold cattle are dealt with and how calves under 8 weeks of age can be sold to AFU operators, rather than being sent directly to slaughter. It is imperative that vendors ensure the cattle are double-tagged before loading.

Who approves TB dedicated sales?

APHA will approve all TB Dedicated Sales.

Who do I contact for market approval queries?

For Wales contact APHA.CymruWales@apha.gov.uk

Who do I contact in APHA about case management, including market licences, from customers, and the return from auctioneers?

APHA Wales phone number: 0300 3038268 and ask for the APHA Wales TB Case Management Team
Email: APHAWalesTBCaseManagementTeam@apha.gov.uk