Moving animals from a Movement Control Area (MCA)

About Movement Control Areas (MCAs)

MCAs are legally defined areas where there is a greater-than-normal risk of TB infection from possums infected with TB. If your property is in an MCA, you must comply with restrictions on the movement of your stock. This includes when you:

• buy stock
• sell stock
• move stock onto or off your property for grazing.

Find out if a property is in an MCA

Check our disease control map to see if a property is in an MCA.

Contact us if you're still unsure whether your property is in an MCA.

If your animals are within an MCA

Your cattle or deer must have a TB test before they move if they are:

• over 3 months old, and
• in an MCA.

They must complete a clear TB test within 60 days prior to being moved.

Exceptions to TB test requirements

You don’t need to do a pre-movement TB test when stock is going direct to slaughter.

In some other situations, you can apply for exemption from pre-movement testing in an MCA. Cases where you might do this include:

• in a civil disaster
• when moving animals back to your property after short-term grazing in an MCA
• situations that involve risks to animal welfare
• when there is a lack of TB testing facilities, or
• 3 weeks before and after a cow gives birth.

We only issue exemptions in exceptional circumstances, and your animals may be tested for TB after they move. Contact us to find out if you can apply for exemption.

Before you move the animals

As the Person in Charge of Animals (PICA), you must declare that the animals are moving from an MCA when you complete your Animal Status Declaration (ASD).

Booking a pre-movement TB test

You need to give 14 days' notice to arrange a pre-movement TB test.

If you're moving cattle or deer, use our online form to book a test.

Restrictions on moving animals from an infected herd

Apart from animals going directly to slaughter, moving stock out of an infected herd is restricted and controlled by the managing veterinarian.