Alternative Control Herds (ACHs) within Northern Ireland are intended allow the movement of of non-breeding cattle from bTB-infected herds in order to provide a means of addressing farm over-stocking in herds which are subject to movement restrictions due to bTB. Movements can only be permitted following a risk assessment and only to non-grazing units with strict biosecurity protocols in place so that the disease cannot spread to other farms. Cattle can only move directly to slaughter from an ACH.
Unfortunately while the facility of ACHs is in principle agreed there have been no approvals of ACHs in NI. Strict conditions must be complied with in an ACH in relation to slurry spreading and also TB testing. It is recognised that a key impediment to ACHs being put in place relates to the spreading of slurry from these units. The rules regarding this are currently under review. The current criteria for ACHs can be found at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dard/ach-conditions.pdf.
In England and Wales, Approved Finishing Units (AFUs) provide options for non-breeding cattle from TB-restricted farms to be reared, fattened or finished, and are in place. Cattle may be moved into AFUs from TB-restricted herds, from dedicated sales (orange markets), from other AFUs and from unrestricted premises. These cattle may only move out of an AFU to slaughter or to another AFU. In some areas, cattle can move through approved sales where the cattle are all going to slaughter. Further details can be found at https://tbhub.co.uk/advice-during-a-tb-breakdown/trading-cattle-whilst-tb-restricted/approved-finishing-units-afus-in-england-and-wales/
In the ROI, beef herds can take on a Controlled Finishing Unit (CFU) status. This status is specifically for non-breeding herds that send all cattle directly to slaughter. Biosecurity measures must be in place to reduce the risk of infection to neighbouring herds. These herds are bTB tested at least once a year.