New rules are being introduced in NI which will require a significant increase in the number of pre- and post-movement TB tests.

The rules are part of new EU Animal Health Law (AHL) which comes into effect from 21 April 2021. It applies to NI farmers because of the NI protocol element of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

“Pre-movement or post-movement testing within 30 days of the movement of an animal will be required by the AHL where both the animal and the herd of origin have not tested negative within the past six months,” a DAERA spokesperson confirmed.

The spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal that legislation will have to be amended at Stormont to allow for the changes to be implemented.

Although the new AHL takes effect in less than three weeks’ time, changes to TB testing requirements in NI will be rolled out over a longer time frame.

“Similar to other jurisdictions required to implement the AHL, the department intends to take forward operational implementation of any agreed requirements on a phased basis,” the DAERA spokesperson said.

Compensation

Meanwhile, cuts to compensation for TB reactor cattle are to be part of upcoming proposals for a revised TB programme in NI.

A briefing paper prepared by senior DAERA officials states that the new strategy covers “contentious areas” relating to “badger intervention and changes to compensation”. The paper was prepared for DUP MLA Gordon Lyons when he temporarily took over as Agriculture Minister in February. The document was made public by DAERA on Tuesday following a freedom of information request.

Cuts to TB reactor compensation have been on the cards in NI for over a decade.