With TB testing effectively suspended in Northern Ireland (NI), DAERA minister Edwin Poots has confirmed that farmers will be given more time to move cattle in and out of herds before restrictions are put in place for an overdue test.

Normally, if a test has not been done within seven days of a due date, then movement restrictions are applied. This has now been extended to 35 days.

History of TB

Without the change, herd owners who were due to test from the end of March onwards were now unable to trade cattle farm-to-farm or through a mart (once they re-open), even if the herd has no recent history of TB.

In a statement, the Department emphasised that all decisions and current practices will be kept under constant review.

If the lockdown due to coronavirus extends into the summer, it will mean more herds will be unable to move cattle, unless these restrictions are relaxed again.

Farmers should only test cattle where social distancing can be maintained throughout

However, it is hoped that if NI soon gets beyond a peak in coronavirus cases, it might be possible to re-commence TB testing within the next few weeks.

At present, farmers should only test cattle where social distancing can be maintained throughout.

While the announcement this week will allow the vast majority of herds to continue trading, there are still some individual scenarios to be worked through.

For example, some farmers in a busy spring period might let a test run a month overdue before testing.

The extension from seven to 35 days before restrictions are put in place are of no benefit to them.

It is understood that the UFU has put various scenarios to DAERA and asked for as much flexibility as possible.

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