Some 805 herds have been restricted by the Department of Agriculture this year under strict rules surrounding check-testing of TB high-risk herds. Changes introduced in 2016 allow the first of these tests to take place between three and eight months after de-restriction.

However, restrictions on all animals over six weeks of age are imposed once the three-month date is reached until the first test is taken.

If clear at this test, the herd is de-restricted with the requirement to undergo the second and third tests at six-month intervals.

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