Movement Control Area (MCA)
In MCAs, all cattle or deer on a farm are tested annually. Cattle over 3 months and deer over 8 months of age must have a TB test before they move within an MCA. You must complete the movement within 60 days of the pre-movement test. Stock going direct to slaughter don't require a pre-movement test.
Moving animals from a Movement Control Area (MCA)
Special Testing Area (STA) — Annual
In these areas, cattle over 12 months and deer over 15 months of age are tested annually.
Special Testing Area (STA) — Biennial
In these areas, cattle and deer over 24 months of age are tested every 2 years.
Surveillance Area
In these areas, testing is targeted at farms with a higher risk of contracting or spreading TB. Risk factors include:
- higher frequency of animal movements on or off the farm
- animal movements from higher-risk herds or areas (like those under movement control)
- poor quality NAIT records.
This may mean we call some farms to present animals for TB testing sooner than expected (after their last whole herd test). Other farms may not hear from us for long periods.
