The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently released updated arrangements for TB testing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department states that the guidelines cover the period up to 1 February 2020, subject to review.

The most significant of these includes the allowance for calves up to 120 days of age to move between herds in Ireland without the need to be TB-tested. As will be explained in greater detail below, this is provided a herd retains TB-free status at the time of calves being moved.

The Department stresses that the guidelines are designed to continue efforts to eradicate TB and undertake testing as required, while also facilitating the continuation of animal movements and stability of all elements of the food supply chain.

The Department announcement states: “The overriding principle in all situations is that the health and safety of farmers, vets, service providers, contractors, other staff and their families is paramount.”

Specific circumstances

The arrangements include specific guidelines and advice on a number of situations which may arise. The advice as outlined by the Department of Agriculture is as follows:

1 Increased age for testing calves

“Due to the challenges of performing a TB test on very young calves while maintaining compliance with social distancing guidelines, calves aged between 42 and 120 days at the first day of the TB test should be tested only where both the farmer and the vet are satisfied that social distancing can be adhered to.

“If calves under 120 days are not tested, they will be eligible for movement once the herd retains its TB-free status, until they reach 120 days of age. This exemption commenced on Tuesday 27 October 2020 and will apply until 1 February 2021, at which point it will be reviewed.

“This exemption does not apply to reactor retests, nor to the requirements for TB testing for export. Where a calf aged under 120 days is intended for export, the requirement for a 30-day pre-export TB test remains in place for calves older than 42 days of age (Note: no pre-export TB test is required if the calf is under 42 days of age).

“Calves aged over 120 days must have passed a TB test in order to move out of the herd. If a calf was not tested during a herd test due to being aged 42 to 120 days, when it goes above 120 days a private TB test will be required to enable it to move.”

2 Farmer self-isolating due to COVID-19 symptoms

If a farmer is not available to present his or her cattle for TB testing due to them self-isolating with symptoms of COVID-19, then the following advice applies.

“The farmer should follow HSE advice and not present the cattle for testing himself/herself. If possible, alternative arrangements should be made so that someone else can assist with the TB test on his/her behalf. If this is not possible, the regional veterinary office (RVO) should be informed and the test can be delayed. The herd will have its trading status suspended when it becomes overdue for being out of test. This suspension will be applied after a 28-day grace period from the due date, during which the herd can continue to trade. When the suspension is then applied, moves directly to slaughter will still be permitted.”

3 Farmer not available to present animals

This is similar to point two above, with the farmer not available to present his or her cattle for TB testing as he/she is in a vulnerable or at-risk group and is self-isolating, or is over 70 years of age and is cocooning.

The Department states: “The farmer should not be required to present the cattle for testing himself/herself. If possible, alternative arrangements should be made so that someone else can assist with the TB test on his/her behalf. If this is not possible, the RVO should be informed and the test can be delayed. The herd will have its trading status suspended when it becomes overdue for being out of test. This suspension will be applied after a 28-day grace period from the due date, during which the herd can continue to trade. When the suspension is then applied, moves directly to slaughter will still be permitted.”

4 Veterinary practitioner becomes unavailable due to COVID-19

Where a test has to be delayed ue to COVID-19 concerns then the herd will have its trading status suspended after a 28-day grace period.

This scenario deals with a private veterinary practitioner (PVP) being scheduled to carry out a TB test, but becoming unavailable due to COVID-19-related issues (eg, self isolation, cocooning or critical staff shortages within the practice).

“The PVP should inform the farmer and the RVO at the earliest opportunity and try to arrange for an alternative PVP from the practice to carry out the test. If this is not possible, the RVO, in consultation with the original PVP, may contact a PVP from another practice to carry out the test. If these alternative arrangements are not possible, the test can be delayed. The herd will have its trading status suspended when it becomes overdue for being out of test. This suspension will be applied after a 28-day grace period from the due date, during which the herd can continue to trade. When the suspension is then applied, moves directly to slaughter will still be permitted.”

5 TB test delayed due to COVID-19 concerns

“If a TB test is delayed due to COVID-19-related issues, as in points two to four above: The delay in testing due to COVID-19-related issues will not be a basis for referring the farmer for possible cross-compliance action. If the delayed test is a Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine paid test, a delay due to COVID-19 will not be grounds to make it a farmer-paid test.”

In cases where animals cannot be restrained a test can be delayed until an adequate restraint to allow social distancing has been provided.

6 Not possible to test all animals and maintain social distancing

If it is not possible to test every animal while observing the appropriate social distance:

  • The PVP should submit the test report, with untested animals accompanied by note “unable to restrain”.
  • Where there are untested animals aged over 120 days which ought normally to have been tested, the RVO will suspend the herd and list a miscellaneous animal test to the testing vet/practice. The vet can then make arrangements to test the remaining cattle when adequate restraint to allow social distancing has been provided – this may involve use of a pen with a restraining head gate. Such arrangements may be made for calves under 120 days of age in reactor herds.”