UPDATE ON THE DEFRA TB PROGRAMME

Tuesday 19th August 2025

As part of the work to refresh the Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) strategy for England, Defra is enhancing test sensitivity in cattle herds experiencing a bTB breakdown to help identify infected cattle which may not have been detected by the skin test.  

At present, mandatory interferon-gamma (‘gamma’) blood testing applies to certain TB breakdown herds in the High Risk Area (HRA) and six-monthly surveillance testing parts of the Edge Area of England.  We are working to extend gamma testing to all herds experiencing a new breakdown with Officially Tuberculosis Free Withdrawn (OTFW) status in the HRA and six-monthly parts of the Edge Area.  

Therefore, farmers with eligible herds in these areas will be able to apply to APHA from 01 September 2025 for government-funded gamma testing as a voluntary option. All cattle with a positive gamma test result will be removed and usual valuation and compensation procedures will apply.  

Using the skin and gamma tests together is proven to increase test sensitivity, particularly in herds where Bovine Tuberculosis has already been identified.  This means infected animals can be detected and removed from the herd earlier, reducing the spread of the disease within the affected herd and the risk of future breakdowns after the herd has regained its Officially TB Free (OTF) status.       

More information on how to access this service and on gamma testing can be found at:Interferon-gamma blood testing of cattle - Bovine TB | TB Hub.