Pre-Movement Testing
A report setting out the TB Advisory Group's advice to Defra Ministers and the Chief Veterinary Officer on the practical delivery and impacts of pre-movement testing was published by Defra on 16 January 2007. For more information see the Defra website.
Guidance for LVIs on procedures for state aid pre-movement testing - April 2006
Give us your views
The BVA and BCVA have been working with Defra and the SVS to resolve any outstanding issues concerning pre-movement testing and to help improve communications to, and awareness amongst, the veterinary profession and we will continue to do so as the scheme develops.
We would appreciate details of any queries or problems on the ground that you would like the BVA and BCVA to take forward on your behalf.
Please send any comments to the Policy and Committee Manager, Clare Lynch at: clarel@bva.co.uk
Overview
Concerns were raised over the original launch date for pre-movement testing (February 2006) by the BVA, BCVA, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) for a number of reasons. In particular it was felt that farmers and the veterinary profession were not ready to start testing due to some confusion over the advice given to LVIs and farmers. The NFU and LAA also argued that the veterinary profession did not have the capacity to deal with the extra testing.
In response to pressure from the veterinary profession, farming groups and the livestock auctioneers, Defra postponed the launch of pre-movement testing until the 27th of March to allow the industry to prepare properly for the measure. Defra now believe that the veterinary profession have all the information needed to proceed.
An independent rapid survey was carried out for Defra to look at veterinary capacity and preparedness to deliver the new requirements for pre-movement testing. The results of this survey suggests that the profession does have the capacity to handle the additional work, although it did highlight that there may be problems of capacity in some regions when the scheme is rolled out to include cattle over 42 days in 2007. The review was later expanded to include the instructions and interpretative material and their use by LVls. We will provide updates on this stage of the review as it is completed.
The BVA and BCVA believe that the profession will rise to the occasion and will be able to cope with the extra testing. Both Associations also believe that pre-movement testing is a necessary tool for the control for bTB in cattle. We have evidence from a survey carried out by BCVA in 2004 that demonstrates a capacity and willingness to cope. The survey shows that 70% of the practices that responded felt that they would be able to cope with the extra LVI workload of testing, as a result of pre-movement testing. 57% of practices also thought that they would be able to do so, without expanding their veterinary workforce. We are aware there may be local difficulties but the generality is that the profession has the capacity to do the job.
Concern has been expressed however regarding the routine testing that practices would normally undertake and whether there will be a substitution of private testing for state testing. This matter may be influenced by the forth-coming LVI fee negotiations and whether the SVS comes to a satisfactory agreement with the profession.
We urge the practising veterinary profession to raise awareness of PRMT amongst the farming community and to explain why it is good practice to pre- movement test all cattle to control this disease and to consider post-movement testing and quarantine measures before introduction to the herd. It is also important to stress that PRMT does have limitations and that it is just one tool in our armoury for the control of bovine Tuberculosis.
Defra's Questions & Answers on pre-movement testing
Payment Rates
The introduction of these measures has important implications for the ongoing LVI Review. LVIs in private practice have persistently criticised Defra payment rates for work undertaken suggesting that they fail to match fee scales required in modern practices. This is particularly the case when the implications of the Competition Commission remedies are realised.
Farmers must pay their veterinary surgeon directly for undertaking pre-movement testing. A survey of BCVA practitioners at Blackpool Congress in October 2004 provided the Defra Pre-movement Testing working group with likely charges for this work and this information was used in the Regulatory Impact Assessment associated with the new legislation. At that time most practices indicated that they would apply a time base to the testing process, with a smaller proportion indicating they would apply Defra payment rates for the appropriate group size. The resultant figure taken forward in the RIA for the predicted total number of eligible animals was between £5.50 and £9.00 per head (typical £6.70), including all veterinary costs (excluding the cost of tuberculin which is covered by Defra). The size of the group tested alters this figure dramatically, with prices per head increasing significantly for individuals and small groups.
The payment rates that individual veterinary practices charge is a private matter between the veterinary surgeon and the client. We would however urge all those undertaking pre-movement testing work to be sensible with their pricing as payments will have a huge impact on the overall success of the scheme.
It is likely that Defra will want to undertake a survey of LVI charges for pre-movement testing as the system progresses, probably before phase two comes into force when all cattle over 6 weeks of age will require testing (only those over 15 months are eligible at the outset). This work will enable us to truly assess the relevance of the LVI rates to current practice finance. This information will also be of great importance to the members of the BVA LVI Review team charged with negotiating on behalf of LVIs.
Government to pay for one pre-movement test
Government to pay for pre-movement testing until 30th June 2006
In recognition of the wider financial pressures the industry is facing, the Government announced that from February 20 to June 30, it would meet the cost of one premovement test per English herd owner for cattle aged over 15 months moving out of a one- or two-yearly tested herd in England. This single test will be paid at current LVI rates if it is carried out after the 25th of April.
Although the BVA and BCVA welcome the support for farmers, there are concerns that the payment rates, which are set by the number of animals tested and not by the time it takes to complete the work, will result in some veterinary practices being unfairly compensated for their time. A letter has been sent to the Minister, Ben Bradshaw, expressing our concern over this interference with what is essentially a private arrangement between the veterinary surgeon and their client.
Guidance for LVIs on procedures for state aid pre-movement testing
Pre- and Post-movement testing in Scotland
Scotland has been pre- and post-movement testing since September 2005. All cattle over 42 days old originating from 1 or 2 yearly testing parishes have to be tested within 60 days prior to movement onto the farm.