Approved dedicated sales for TB-restricted cattle (orange markets)

Approved dedicated sales for TB-restricted cattle are approved and licensed by the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA). They operate in certain areas of England and Wales but cannot be approved in Scotland. They include orange markets, and in England only, calf collection centres and herd dispersal sales.

In November 2020 a pilot market (orange market) for TB-dedicated sales was run in Wales and as a result, since 1 January 2021, other markets in the High TB Areas of Wales can apply for approval to hold a TB-dedicated sale for a 12 month period and reviewed thereafter. For more information and guidance please visit gov.wales.

Orange markets (England and Wales)

Cows being loaded to a trailer - Bovine TB

Orange markets can only be approved in the High Risk and Edge Areas of England, and since 1 January 2021, in the High TB Areas of Wales for an initial period of 12 months, when the policy will be reviewed. They cannot be approved in the Low Risk Area of England or the Low and Intermediate TB Areas of Wales.

Orange Markets provide farmers with a trading option for clear tested cattle from TB-restricted herds. Cattle moving to orange markets cannot be reactors, unresolved inconclusive reactors (IRs) or direct contacts (DCs).

Cattle from unrestricted farms, and species of livestock other than cattle are not permitted in the sale.

Markets holding dedicated sales for TB-restricted cattle must have prior approval under the Animal Gatherings Order 2010 in addition to approval as a TB market from APHA.

Cattle must comply with the six day standstill rule under the Disease Control (England) Order 2003. Cattle 42 days of age and older must have had a negative TB skin test within the 90 days before the sale.

Owners of cattle entered for sale must apply to APHA for a movement licence a minimum of five working days before the sale.

Origin of cattle

Cattle can move to an orange market in England and Wales from:

TB-restricted holdings in England, Wales, and Scotland
On-farm TB dispersal sales in England only
Since 1^st July 2021, Approved Finishing Units (AFU) in England and Wales, and Approved Finishing Units (Enhanced) with grazing (AFUE) in England

Animals that have already moved into an AFU in Wales from an AFU or an AFUE can be moved under licence to an orange market, but a licence condition is that they can then only be sold at the orange market for slaughter, or to an AFU / AFUE in England.

Resolved IRs restricted for life in England from officially TB free (OTF) holdings can enter an orange market in England on a general licence available on GOV.UK which also allows them to travel on to an AFU/AFUE in England or direct to slaughter. There is no requirement for resolved IRs moving under the general licence to have tested negative for TB before entering the sale. Please note that keepers moving resolved IRs from OTF holdings in England to an orange market in Wales must apply to APHA for a specific licence as the general licence does not cover movements to Wales.

Destination of cattle

Cattle can move through an orange market to:

A licensed slaughterhouse in England or Wales
An AFU in England or Wales, or an AFUE in England
Back to the AFU/AFUE of origin if the animals did not sell at the market

Cattle cannot be licensed to TB-restricted holdings from an orange market. The only permitted outlets are to slaughter, either directly or via an AFU/AFUE.

Calf collection centres (England only)

Calf collection centres operate in England in the same way as orange markets and provide farmers with a trading option for calves from TB-restricted herds. Calves moving to collection centres must not be reactors, unresolved inconclusive reactors (IRs) or direct contacts (DCs). Calves from unrestricted farms, and species of livestock other than cattle are not permitted in the sale.

Markets holding calf collection centres must have prior approval under the Animal Gatherings Order 2010 in addition to approval as a TB market from APHA. Calves must comply with the six day standstill rule under the Disease Control (England) Order 2003.

Calves 42 days and older entering a collection centre under licence must have had a negative TB skin test within the previous 90 days before the sale. Owners of calves entered for sale must apply to APHA for a movement licence a minimum of five working days before the sale. From the collection centre, calves can move under licence to an AFU/AFUE in England, an AFU in Wales, or direct to slaughter in England and Wales.

Herd dispersal sales (England only)

Herd of cows in the summertime - Bovine TB

Dispersal sales for TB-restricted herds may be approved in England, subject to a satisfactory veterinary risk assessment and licence from APHA. They can occur at a dedicated sale site or on-farm. Cattle sold at an on-farm dispersal sale can be moved under licence

Directly to slaughter in England and Wales
To an AFU in England or Wales. Cattle 42 days and older must have had a negative TB skin test within 90 days prior to moving to an AFU
To another TB-restricted holding in England. Cattle 42 days and older must have had a negative TB skin test within 30 days prior to moving to a TB restricted holding

Cattle sold at a dedicated sale site can be moved under licence

Directly to slaughter in England and Wales. Cattle 42 days and older must have had a negative TB skin test within 90 days prior to moving to the sale
To an AFU in England only. Cattle 42 days and older must have had a negative TB skin test within 90 days prior to moving to the sale

Approval of dedicated sales for TB-restricted cattle

Dedicated sales are held on sites approved under the Animal Gatherings Order (AGO) 2010 and must be separated in time from other gatherings or sales. Conditions for approval as a dedicated sale for TB-restricted cattle are additional to the conditions of the AGO. Premises must have a licence to hold an animal gathering (AGO02) in place prior to seeking approval from APHA as a dedicated sale. Visit GOV.UK for the conditions for approval and operation of dedicated sales and an application form for an approved dedicated sale. If you need help completing the application form, or require more information, contact APHA using the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

APHA will assess your application form and may need to contact you for additional information. An APHA vet will then visit the site to check that the terms and conditions of approval and operation can be met. If the visit is satisfactory then APHA will approve the dedicated sale. If the terms and conditions cannot be met then APHA will explain the reasons why, and what needs to be done to approve the site. APHA will guide you through the application process and it’s important that you retain all documentation relating to your application.