New TB testing rules should not affect cow sales

Q. Are all farmers and animals going to be affected by the new requirements?

A. No. Initially, only farmers who buy or sell cows of any age or males over the age of 36 months will be affected by the new requirements. In time, it will apply to all animals over the age of six weeks.

Q. What are the new requirements if I buy or sell cows of any age or males over the age of 36 months?

A. From 1 February 2023, cows of any age or males over the age of 36 months moving from one herd to another, through a mart or farm to farm, must be tested within the last six months and the herd that is moving them out must also be tested within the last six months. If not, these animals must be tested in the 30 days prior to or after movement.

Q. Do all farmers now have to have a TB herd test every six months?

A. No. All cattle farmers can continue to test their herd once a year as normal.

Q. What happens if a cow of any age or male over the age of 36 months I want to sell has not been tested in the last six months or my herd has not been tested in the last six months?

A. You may pre-movement test the animal in the 30 days prior to movement or it will require a test in the 30 days after it moves out of your herd.

Q. What happens if I don’t want to pre-movement test the animal, can I still move it out?

A. Yes. You can still move the animal out, but the person who moves it in will have to test it.

Q. How will I know before I purchase an animal if it needs a test?

A. All mart boards currently display the earliest date of test for the batches of animals being presented for sale and compliance certificates display the latest date of test for each animal. If in doubt, ask the seller the test status of animals.

Q. What happens if I move in an animal that needs a test?

A. The animal will be restricted to your herd and you will be required to TB test it within the following 30 days. You will receive a notification to this effect from the Department. If you do not test the animal within 30 days, if it is still alive, your herd will be restricted 30 days after it moves into your herd.

Q. Can I test this animal as part of any other test?

A. Yes, you may test this animal as part of any other herd level test, for example Department-paid tests where one is scheduled for completion, such as contiguous tests or post-de-restriction check tests.

Q. Can I move the animal to slaughter without testing it?

A. Yes, you may move the animal direct to slaughter within 90 days without having to carry out a test. After 90 days your herd will have to be tested.

Q. When will the restriction on my herd be lifted?

A. If you test or slaughter the animal between day 30 and 90, the restriction will be lifted. If you don’t test or slaughter the animal between day 30 and 90, your whole herd will be scheduled for a herd test. You will receive a notification to this effect from the Department. Once your herd tests clear, the restriction on your herd will be lifted, provided you are not restricted for any other reason. This test date will become the anniversary date for your next annual herd test.

Q. If the animal is slaughtered or dies after a herd test is scheduled, do I still have to do the test?

A. Yes.

Q. Can I move animals in or out while I am restricted?

A. You may move animals in provided your herd is not already restricted from doing so for any other reason. You cannot move animals out, except direct to slaughter or where calves are less than six weeks of age, but these are not eligible for export while your herd remains restricted.

Q. How long will I be allowed to move animals in?

A. You will be allowed to move animals in until the day before the day the test is due to take place.

Q. My annual herd test is usually in March and I don’t want to have a second test before I sell cows in the autumn - what are my options?

A. You can arrange to have your annual herd test postponed for up to three months by contacting your local regional veterinary office in advance of the due date. Your herd will be restricted and movements restricted as already outlined. The new date will become the anniversary date for your next annual herd test.

This means your animals can be sold within six months of your herd test. You may also pre-movement test the individual animals.

Q. I usually sell cull cows in the mart, will I have to pre-movement test them before I move them?

A. Cull cows being bought directly by a controlled finishing unit (CFU) (feedlot) or going direct to slaughter will not be impacted by this change, as animals going direct to a CFU or to slaughter do not need a pre- or post-movement test. Cull cows being bought by another farm will have to meet the requirements.

Q. I bought animals that need a post-movement test, can I move them on to a restricted CFU (feedlot) without testing them?

A. No. You may not move animals requiring a post-movement test on to another herd without testing it first.

Q. Is a farmer eligible for all TB compensation in the event of continuing to purchase animals up until the 90 days have elapsed?

A. Yes. A farmer is eligible for all TB compensation where they continue to purchase animals up to the day before the herd test is due.