On 1 April 2016, optional private interferon-gamma blood testing was introduced for cattle keepers in England only. Cattle keepers are able to submit blood samples to an Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) laboratory for TB testing at their own expense via a private vet and with prior APHA approval.

The private blood test is available in a limited number of scenarios outside of the government-funded testing programme, where farmers seek additional assurances as to the TB-free status of animals over and above those afforded by statutory testing.