“New TB regs won’t solve the problem – but reducing badgers would,” says Wyn Jones

Lifetime restrictions for inconclusive reactors

Cattle in Wales that return inconclusive bovine TB test results will face lifetime movement restrictions from January 2026 – but farmer Gareth Wyn Jones believes the Welsh Government is looking in the wrong direction.

Under the new rules, animals that test negative on re-test after an initial inconclusive result will be restricted to their holding for life, only permitted to move to slaughterhouses or Approved Finishing Units.

The normal testing window for re-testing is between 60 and 90 days, meaning cattle that receive inconclusive results from 1 November 2025 could be captured by the change if not re-tested before 1 January 2026.

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Government cites expert advice

The Welsh Government says the policy follows industry requests and independent expert advice, claiming these animals are three times more likely to become TB reactors than clear-tested cattle.

Under previous arrangements, cattle could move freely after negative re-tests, “potentially transferring undetected infection to clean herds,” according to the government.

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Gareth Wyn Jones urges action on badgers

However, farmer and TV presenter Gareth Wyn Jones, dubbed “the nation’s favourite farmer” by the BBC, argues that the government is targeting the wrong problem.

For Gareth, the solution lies not in tightening cattle controls but in addressing the role of badgers in spreading TB.

Pointing to fewer TB cases and the recovery of hedgehogs and ground-nesting birds in areas where culls have taken place, he told Shooting Times:

“Let’s just be honest with each other. The Government should be reducing the number of badgers across the United Kingdom – that’s what would help with TB testing and bring wildlife back to the right balance. And that’s the truth.”