Bovine TB: Whole life restrictions on resolved standard interpretation Inconclusive Reactors

From 1 January 2026, all standard interpretation IRs that have a negative result will be restricted for the rest of their life. This affects all standard interpretation IRs that have a negative result under standard interpretation at the re-test. They will be restricted to the holding on which they were found. The only permitted off movements for such animals are to a slaughterhouse or Approved Finishing Unit (AFU). The cattle can move: 

• directly
• via an approved slaughter gathering, or
• via a TB dedicated sale (orange market)

NB: We will update this guidance to include links to the relevant licences by 1 January 2026.

Scientific studies show that resolved standard IR animals are more likely to spread TB. This because they have a higher chance of becoming reactors than animals with a clear test. Restricting them to the holding on which they were found stops putting other herds at risk. 

Published papers by May et al (2019) and Clegg et al (2011) provide evidence for the increased risk. They were presented to the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and TB Programme Board.

This is consistent with our analysis on resolved standard IRs between 2014 and 2023. The data shows that resolved standard IRs are 2.8 times more likely to be identified and culled as:

• a reactor
• an IR, or
• a confirmed SLH case 

than a clear testing animal. You can find the evidence presented to the TAG at: Evidence of the Bovine TB risk posed by resolved Inconclusive Reactor animals.

The main screening test for TB in cattle in Great Britain is the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test (SICCT). Most people call this the TB skin test. A standard interpretation inconclusive reactor is an animal which shows a reaction to bovine tuberculin greater than the avian, but not strong enough to be classified as a reactor. IRs must be isolated and re-tested after 60 days. We class animals that have an inconclusive result at two consecutive TB skin tests as reactors.

A resolved standard IR is an animal identified as a standard interpretation inconclusive reactor at a TB skin test, which then tests clear under standard interpretation upon retesting.

We are introducing this policy alongside the existing policies for IRs  which remain in place. You can find further information on existing policies in your TB in your herd booklet.

The restrictions will apply on IRs disclosed at standard interpretation, at any test in Wales, which then test clear under standard interpretation on or after 1 January 2026 (day 2 – TT2).

NB. Policies currently applied to resolved standard IRs in herds under enhanced measures remain in place.

On receipt of the negative test result:

• APHA will restrict resolved standard IRs following their clear re-test
• keepers will receive by post:
  • a Restriction for Life Notice (TB197), and
  • an accompanying letter (TR465) 

Our flowchart shows the process: Bovine TB: inconclusive reactors process diagram.

The amendments to the resolved standard IR policy in Wales do prevent movement of these animals to other herds. This will reduce the risk of spreading bovine TB between herds. But they do not tackle the issue of higher risk animals remaining in the herd in which they were found. 

Owners have the option to keep the animal and manage it out of the herd considering the needs of the business. Our advice is that you do this as soon as possible.  You should discuss with your vet how best to manage the resolved standard IR whilst it is remains on farm.

Examples of actions can include:

• not feeding unpasteurised milk from resolved standard IRs to calves
• not breeding replacement animals from resolved standard IRs

It is your responsibility to ensure that you restrict resolved standard IRs for life to the holding on which they were found. If you intend to keep resolved standard IRs in your herd, our advice is to physically identify them to prevent their accidental movement off the holding. You can do this using a management tag or freeze brand. We also recommend marking the animal’s passport and keeping a record of any resolved standard IRs in the herd register.

APHA carry out checks of resolved standard IRs to ensure that they are restricted for life. If APHA find that a resolved standard IR has moved, other than to slaughter or an AFU, they will serve an individual animal restriction notice. This will restrict the animal to the new herd allowing licensed movements to slaughter or an AFU only. APHA refer these cases to the Local Authority to investigate and take appropriate action.

Resolved standard IRs can move directly to slaughter. Or they can move via an approved slaughter gathering. 

If your herd is officially TB free (OTF), you don’t need to apply to APHA for a specific licence. The General licence for the movement of resolved inconclusive reactor cattle to slaughter is available on gov.uk. You don’t need to send a copy of the general licence with the cattle. But, make sure you understand the conditions before moving the animals to slaughter. 

You can move resolved standard IRs to an Approved Finishing Unit (AFU). They can move directly or via an approved TB dedicated sale (orange market).  

If your herd is officially TB free (OTF), this move can take place using the general licence available on gov.uk. You don’t need to send a copy of the general licence with the cattle. But make sure you understand the conditions before moving the animals to slaughter. 

You can send resolved standard IRs in TB breakdown herds to an AFU or approved TB dedicated sale under certain conditions.  You will need to apply to APHA for a specific licence.

Below is a summary of the permitted routes to slaughter for resolved standard IRs from OTF and TB-restricted herds. Resolved standard IRs moving under a licence issued by APHA must meet all conditions stated on the licence. This includes pre-movement TB testing requirements. APHA can issue licences for movements of resolved standard IRs from TB-restricted holdings. But this is subject to a satisfactory APHA risk assessment.

Resolved standard IRs in officially TB free (OTF) herds

Permitted route to slaughter

The following permitted routes to slaughter can be made under a general licence for the movement of resolved inconclusive reactor cattle to slaughter available on gov.uk:

• direct to a licensed slaughterhouse in England or Wales
• via an Approved TB-dedicated sale (orange market) in England or Wales
• via an Approved Finishing Unit (AFU) in England or Wales
• via an Approved Finishing Unit Enhanced (AFUE) with grazing in England

Resolved standard IRs in TB-restricted herds

Permitted route to slaughter

The licences for the following permitted routes to slaughter must be obtained from APHA:

• direct to a licensed slaughterhouse in England or Wales. Use a specific TB24 licence or general TB24c licence. This is usually issued at the start of the TB breakdown
• via an AFU in England or Wales. Use a specific TB16 licence or general TB16e licence
• via an AFUE in England. Use a specific TB16 licence or general TB16e licence
• via an approved TB slaughter gathering in England or Wales. Use a general TB24c licence usually issued at the start of the TB breakdown
• via an approved TB-dedicated sale (orange market) in England or Wales. Use a specific TB16b licence or general TB16e licence

Resolved standard IRs are restricted following their clear re-test. As the keeper, you will receive a restriction notice in the post. Resolved standard IRs are restricted for life to the holding on which they were found. This holding must have a permanent County Parish Holding (CPH) number. 

Resolved standard IRs found at a tCPH are restricted for life to the permanent CPH associated with the tCPH. The resolved standard IR is only permitted to:

• move back under licence to the permanent CPH associated with the tCPH. Once back at the permanent CPH, the animal is restricted for life to that CPH
• move directly to slaughter, or
• move to slaughter via an AFU

If a resolved standard IR is found at a TLA it is restricted to the permanent CPH associated with the TLA. The resolved standard IR can return to the TLA, as the land falls within 10 miles of the permanent CPH. For more information on livestock movements, tCPHs and TLAs, see our guidance: at: County Parish Holdings and livestock movements: new rules FAQs.

If a resolved standard IR is found whilst at common grazing, it is restricted for life to the keeper’s home holding. This must have a permanent CPH number. The resolved standard IR cannot move to common grazing again. This is because of the increased risk it may present to other herds that use the common land.

IRs disclosed at a TB IU that then test negative are restricted for life to the pCPH of the TB IU. Once the group of cattle in the TB IU have completed the required TB testing for movement off the unit, the restricted resolved standard IRs will only be permitted to move under licence:

• to slaughter, or
• to an AFU 

The restricted resolved standard IRs must be removed before the unit can be restocked.

If a hire bull is disclosed as an IR whilst out on hire and retests negative, it is restricted for life to the holding on which it was identified as a resolved standard IR. It can only move under licence to slaughter or an AFU.

If an animal is disclosed as an IR whilst at a contract rearing premises with a separate pCPH and retests negative, it is restricted for life to the holding on which it was identified as a resolved standard IR. It can only move under licence to slaughter or an AFU.

APHA may grant a licence to move a resolved standard IR other than to slaughter or an AFU in exceptional circumstances. This will be subject toan APHA veterinary risk assessment. You should discuss the circumstances with APHA, if possible, before the move.

APHA can issue a licence for resolved standard IRs to move off the holding for veterinary treatment. After treatment the animal must return directly to the home holding or to slaughter.

You may need to move cattle in an emergency. For example, from an area where their welfare is at risk, such as flooding etc.

This is where the whole herd remains under the same ownership but is being relocated.

A herd dispersal sale where you can buy and move cattle to new locations will not count as an exceptional circumstance. In such cases resolved standard IRs can only move under licence to slaughter or an AFU.