Members are reminded of the changes to the MV accredited scheme which came in to force last year and affect the testing of incoming animals.
It is now mandatory to test all animals added to your accredited flock/herd between 6 and 12 months after arriving. Animals must have been on their new holding for a minimum of six months before testing.
This means new animals purchased last summer and autumn will now be falling in to the testing window, while in-lamb purchases will need testing later in the year.
It is worth noting that failing to comply with this rule could result in flocks being put back on to annual testing, with the subsequent costs and inconvenience that brings.
