Following an increase in cases of bovine TB in the Low TB Area we are making changes to how TB breakdowns are managed.
These changes are necessary to prevent further disease spread.
The Low TB Area historically has been successful in keeping disease levels very low.
However, TB epidemiologists have identified emerging hotspots within the area which need to be addressed quickly to stamp out the disease.
The number of new breakdowns in the Denbighshire and Conwy Valley Area has more than doubled in 2020 compared to the previous year.
This accounts for 50% of the overall increase in the number of new incidents in the Low TB Area.
Increased disease in these areas appears to have been driven by cattle movements into the area from holdings in higher-risk areas and subsequently by local cattle movements, particularly holdings under the same business control.
In response to these spikes in infection, new measures have been agreed. All farmers within the affected areas have been sent a letter informing them of the changes.
The hotspots these measures will apply to are the Denbighshire and Conwy Valley areas (spatial units CL1/CL2/GW1), and the Pennal area. These measures have been developed so they might be applied in any future TB hotspot.
These measures have been introduced in a phased approach from June. With the next measures being implemented from 1 November. They will run alongside the already agreed new measures in the Intermediate TB Area North (ITBAN). This will enable the vigorous stamp-out of disease before it becomes endemic in the area.
Please find further information within the Frequently Asked Questions.