In recent years, farmers in NI have been liable for a cross-compliance penalty if at an inspection it was found that an annual TB herd test was more than one month overdue.

Given that only 1% of farmers get inspected each year, and most farmers test within the required deadline, the numbers being penalised are fairly low. However, the UFU has pointed out that since 2015 the rules have changed.

Where tests are overdue by more than three months without a valid reason, they have become viewed as intentional breaches.

These are automatically referred for cross-compliance penalties. The penalties for an intentional breach start at 15%, but in the last 18 months the UFU’s technical team has seen cases with penalties ranging from 35% to 55%.

In some instances, where the farmer is able to provide a valid reason why the test was so late, these penalties have been reduced to negligent breaches which incur a 3% penalty.

Early discussions

The advice from the UFU is that if someone cannot test on time, they should have early discussions with the local divisional veterinary officer and private vet to try to find a solution.

Assistance is also available from the UFU technical team.