Revised rules have been set for beef finishers and calf rearers in NI who want to buy cattle from TB restricted herds.

The new criteria for “alternative control herds” was published by DAERA on Wednesday.

According to the department, a key aim is to “alleviate issues of overstocking” in herds that have movement restrictions in place due to a TB breakdown. Two types of alternative control herds are available, namely controlled finishing units and calf rearing units.

ADVERTISEMENT

With the finishing units, cattle from TB restricted herds can enter the unit under a special licence, although each animal needs to have had a negative TB test within the past 30 days.

Grazing is not permitted on these units and cattle can only move to direct slaughter.

DAERA guidance states that permission to operate as a controlled finishing unit will be granted on an annual basis and that approved units will be “regularly audited”.

TB testing is still required within the finishing units, but the department state that TB control will be focused on disease containment rather than removal.

With the calf rearing units, the aim is to provide an outlet for low-risk calves up to 60 days of age from TB restricted herds.

TB-free status

Again, TB testing is required within approved calf units, but the aim is to get officially TB-free status so that all animals within the unit are eligible to move on the open market.

As expected, there are strict requirements for both types of alternative control herds when it comes to record keeping, as well as rules around the likes of transport and disposal of manures.

However, DAERA are clear that the revised rules are being rolled out to encourage uptake of alternative control herds by “removing barriers to implementation”.

“My department will now work closely with industry, veterinary colleagues and delivery partners to support implementation and ensure these arrangements operate effectively and safely,” said Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir.