Movement Controls

Animals

Cattle movements are recognised as being one of the most significant factors in the transmission of TB and so the application of movement restrictions to herds and animals is a vital control measure (and a legal requirement) to prevent bovine TB spreading between and within herds.  This is because cattle that are incubating or infected with undetected disease could transmit TB.

Once TB is detected in a herd, movements of cattle out of the herd to markets or other farms are not allowed until a schedule of TB tests has been carried out.  Cattle may still be moved to slaughter, although if restricted herd tests are delayed by more than one month, all movements in and out of the herd, including to abattoirs, are restricted until the testing is completed.  Inconclusive reactors may also be sold to slaughter.

Alternative Control Herds

Alternative Control Herds (ACHs) within Northern Ireland are intended allow the movement of non-breeding cattle from bTB-infected herds, following a risk assessment and only to non-grazing units with strict biosecurity protocols in place, in order to provide a means of addressing farm over-stocking in herds which are subject to movement restrictions due to bTB.  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.

Informed purchasing

Risk based trading has proven to be very successful in other countries.  There are several measures that would greatly assist the control of TB in NI through informed purchasing.  These include making an interactive TB map available, so that herd owners could identify lower risk herds from which to purchase, and making a herd classification rating available at marts, based on test history and animal purchase history.

What key movement controls could I put in place to reduce the risk of introducing TB to my herd?

Have a purchasing protocol
  • A closed herd is ideal; otherwise try to restrict purchases to maiden heifers and bulls and buy in as few times as possible
  • Don’t use hired in bulls
  • Discuss purchasing plans with your own vet
Buy in as few animals as possible and buy lower risk animals
  • Find out the health status of animals that you are bringing onto your farm
  • Consider pre-movement testing
Buy from as few herds as possible and buy from lower risk herds
  • Select stock from herds of equal or higher health status to your own herd
  • If possible, find out how long the herd you are purchasing from has been been OTF (Officially TB Free).  (The longer a herd has not been restricted due to bTB, the lower the risk of any cattle purchased from that herd being infected.)

 

Animal Products  

Meat

TB reactors are compulsorily slaughtered and if their carcases pass meat inspection, meat from these animals may be processed and enter the human food chain.

Milk

The movement of milk in and from TB breakdown herds is controlled, in that milk from reactor animals must be withheld from the bulk tank.  It is recommended that reactor milk is not fed to calves unless it has been sterilised (heated to at least boiling point); it may be disposed of in the slurry tank or spread on land for crops, silage or hay in line with NIEA guidance.