FARMERS across West Cork are being urged to consider a series of new bovine tuberculosis (bTB) measures that are coming into effect on Monday, April 13th, with particular attention being drawn to changes in testing requirements for cows that are traded between herds.

The measures are part of the government’s TB action plan, which was announced last September, and form part of ongoing efforts to control and reduce the spread of TB within the national herd.

However, farm organisations have warned that the proposed changes place significant new obligations on farmers and must be accompanied by broader action to tackle the disease.

Among the most notable changes are new testing requirements for cows that are being sold or moved between herds.

The aim of the measures is to reduce the risk of TB spreading through cattle movements, which is considered a key pathway for transmission.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has said the changes are intended to reduce the likelihood that infected animals are moved between farms, thereby limiting the spread of TB to previously unaffected herds.

The changes are expected to be particularly relevant for dairy farmers who regularly sell cull cows, as well as beef farmers who buy or sell breeding stock.

Farmers who intend to trade animals will need to ensure that the required testing has been carried out within the specified timeframe before movement.

With the changes expected to affect cattle movements, farmers are being advised to prepare well in advance to avoid potential delays when selling or transferring animals.

Understanding the new requirements and factoring testing timelines into herd management plans will be important, particularly during busy trading periods.

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon (FG) said: ‘I am very aware of the emotional and financial impacts of a bTB breakdown on farming families and rural communities. The aim of the bTB Action Plan is to reset the bTB eradication programme by putting in place measures necessary to tackle the current disease situation. The measures in the plan are targeting all routes of transmission including between wildlife and cattle, transmission between cattle, and residual infection.’

Farm organisations have also emphasised the importance of clear communication around the new rules so that farmers can comply with the requirements.

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) has raised concerns, arguing that it appears to focus primarily on additional obligations for farmers. ICMSA deputy president Eamon Carroll said the recently announced TB plan ‘only sets out rules for farmers’.

With farmers across the country receiving letters from the department this week to advise them of the key updates, Carroll said basic testing, purchasing and selling rules for farmers are not outlined to the degree of detail required.

‘It’s no secret that ICMSA has objected to what we see as the disproportionate share of the new rules and required actions involved in the TB reset that are aimed exclusively at farmers.’

For more information visit www.bovinetb.ie.

THE TB CHANGES

Post-movement test

All cows and males over 36 months - post movement test no longer allowed.

Pre-movement test

Suckler cows and males over 36 months - no change to current testing requirements.

Dairy cows moving into a non-breeding herd - no change to current testing requirements.

Dairy cows moving into a breeding herd - a 30 day pre-movement test required.

Contract-reared heifers before return to herd of origin – a 30 day premovement test required.

Contract-reared heifers - Calves/heifers greater than 42 days moving to a herd where animals from multiple herds are contract reared - 30 day pre-movement test before moving to contract rearer is required.

Gamma Interferon Test (GIF Test)

Mandatory in breeding herds of 80 cows or more where 5% of the exposed cohort test positive or where there are 10 reactors in the exposed cohort, whichever is the lesser. GIF tests will be paid for by the Department.

Relapse High Risk (H) herds

If a herd breaks down with 3 or more reactors and the breakdown includes a reactor who was present at the time of a previous TB breakdown in the same herd, and in the same group of animals with 3 or more reactors, the herd will be tested every 6 months for 3 years post derestriction.

Changes to animal movements

Cows that were part of an exposed cohort in herds greater than 80 cows that were GIF tested may not be sold for 2 years after removal of last reactor except to slaughter or Controlled Finishing Unit (CFU).