TB compensation and valuation: FAQs

How to prepare for the valuation?

Make sure that animals are available for the valuer to inspect easily. Make sure all of the supporting paperwork is available - passport, the completed TR531 form which is the Pregnancy Diagnosis certificate for any pregnant animals, any pedigree documents etc. The date of the examination on all PDC’s must be within 90 days of the valuation, or the PDC is not valid.

*Remember, the Pregnancy Diagnosis certificate must be on the TR531 form from your vet and is required for all in calf animals. Failure to supply a correctly completed TR531 PDC will result in the animal being valued as not in calf regardless of how obvious it might be. No other type of from or document will be accepted as proof, it has to be the TR531*

A TR531 form is attached in Annex 1 and available on the web page so everyone is familiar with what it looks like.

What happens if the passport is not presented at the valuation?

If the passport is not presented at valuation, the animal can still be valued but the owner has 10 days from the day of the valuation to produce it to APHA.

If the passport is not received by APHA within the 10 day timescale, a NIL value will be confirmed and a £1 compensation payment will be paid.

If cattle have been refused a passport, had their passport revoked, or the animal has a CPP35 Notice of Registration, then the animal concerned will be considered to have no market value.

The only exception to this is for cattle aged 37 days or younger. Cattle owners have 27 days to apply for a Cattle Passport and should allow 10 days for receipt of a passport from BCMS. Because of this, cattle aged 37 days or younger will be valued if no passport is on farm at the time of valuation. Although an animal of this age would need to be slaughtered on farm, as it cannot be removed without a passport, compensation will be paid based on the market value as established at valuation.

I can’t present my animals on that day, can I change it?

APHA try to accommodate valuation times / dates to suit the farmer’s availability, however this may not always be possible due to the logistics of arranging valuers and hauliers.

As a signature from the owner is not required in Wales, a representative of the farmer’s choice can be on the holding to present the animals and pass any relevant paperwork required for the valuation.

Is the valuer qualified to value my animals?

Every appointed valuer on the Welsh Government valuation framework is qualified and experienced in valuing animals.

APHA, on behalf of Welsh Government (WG) will appoint an appropriately experienced contracted valuer from a valuers’ framework to carry out each valuation. All contracted valuers that work on behalf of APHA/WG have at least 8 years of experience of valuing the type of animal concerned. APHA do not send valuers to appraise stock that they are not qualified to value.

I had more for my animals from the previous valuer… I want that one again.

APHA allocate the valuer through a mini framework. All valuers are familiar with current market prices which cattle marts make publicly available. Market prices fluctuate and, as a result, so do valuations. The chosen valuer and valuation is non-negotiable, not open to appeal and APHA staff are not in a position to change either.

Do valuations have to be signed off by the farmer?

No.

Farmers do not have to sign valuations, a signature has no bearing on the valuations.

Who checks the valuations are correct?

Valuers are subject to ongoing monitoring by a monitor panel who are appointed by WG. They assess the information provided by the valuer to make sure a valuation is in line with current market value and can ask valuers to justify their valuations at any time.

As part of the justification process valuers are asked to provide evidence of the specific reasons that led to a market value being given. Evidence can include copies of sales records of comparable animals sold at a UK level, and compare specific lots sold at named marts on specific dates.

Valuers are professional and are not there to enter into discussions about the processes or policies. Any queries or feedback should be directed to APHA to action accordingly.

When will I get paid?

When the payment is ready to be processed APHA will send you a letter saying that the payment has been sent to WG for processing. From this point it will take 10 working days to reach your bank account. This does not include weekends or Bank Holidays.

If, after the 10 working days, you have checked your bank account and still not received payment you can then send an email to BovineTB@gov.wales stating your CRN / CPH and the expected payment date for WG to investigate.

TB payments are made using the Rural Payments Wales (RPW) payment system so having an active CRN and up to date bank details are essential.

If you need to check that your details are correct you can call RPW on 0300 062 5004.

The APHA and WG staff you speak to during the breakdown follow the policies set out by the Welsh Government. All staff understand the stresses you might be under, and will help whenever possible, but members of staff should not be subjected to violent, threatening or abusive behaviour.

What if I need support?

Having a TB breakdown is an extremely difficult time for all involved.

Help is available and here are the details of organisations that can provide support:

• Farming Community Network (FCN) 03000 111 999

• The Addington Fund 01926 620135
  http://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/

• The DPJ Foundations 0800 587 4262, or text 07860 048799 http://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk/

• Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) 0800 188 4444 help@rabi.org.uk
   
•  Tir Dewi 0800 121 4722
  mail@tirdewi.co.uk
  
  https://gov.wales/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-farming-families
   
• FarmWell Wales http://www.farmwell.wales/

FarmWell Wales is an online information hub which includes: user-friendly information sources

• guidance on how you can access additional support and mentoring, both from a business and personal perspective