The risk of a spike in bovine TB rates in NI due to the coronavirus pandemic has reduced, with the issue causing less disruption to herd tests than first expected.

The latest figures from DAERA show that the number of bovine TB herd tests that are going ahead has increased since the height of the lockdown.

In the week ending 8 May 2020, the number of herds that were tested as a proportion of the same week last year stood at 81%. It differs sharply to the week ending 15 April 2020, when only 44% of herds were tested compared to year-earlier levels.

At the end of March, DAERA removed the compulsory requirement to carry out TB tests, but tests are still permitted if farmers and vets can abide by social distancing.

The department is putting the increased rate of testing down to other temporary measures that were announced at the end of April. These included changing the age requirement for testing calves from 42 to 180 days old so that social distancing can be followed during herd tests.

“More TB tests can now take place safely and the risk of increased animal and herd TB incidence levels is reduced,” states a briefing paper for Stormont’s agriculture committee.

Despite TB testing being a major inconvenience for farmers, it appears most herd keepers want to proceed with tests to avoid losing official TB free status. At present, movement restrictions apply to herds 35 days after an overdue test.

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