Movement control

Controlling the movement of infected or high-risk cattle and deer is one of main ways we can help stop the spread of bovine TB. In areas where the risk of TB infection is particularly high, Movement Control Areas (MCAs) have been put in place to ensure certain conditions, such as pre-movement testing, are met before stock is moved.

Moving infected stock

All cattle and deer moving from infected herds

• Following consultation, OSPRI was asked by farmers to allow animals from infected herds to be moved while still having sufficient restrictions in place to minimise the risk of TB being spread.
• Herds that have had a reactor are tagged with white ear tags to indicate and identify the animal’s TB status so that if the animal is sold they can be tracked and retested on the property they have been moved to and this can be verified utilising NAIT. To make certain they are clear of TB, a post-movement test must be carried out on these animals and all animals they are in contact with, within 90 to 120 days of their pre-movement test, this is followed up with a further whole herd test at least six months later. 

Restrictions on the receiving property consolation

• Affected herdowners will be provided with details of these restrictions in writing, but see below for general guidelines.
• A copy of an official Permit to Move must be issued to the receiving property
• The permit can only be granted by TBfree-authorised personnel prior to movement of the animals
• A post-movement test must be carried out 90 to120 days after the pre-movement test on the animals moved plus all other animals that have been in direct contact with them
• The animals that are brought in remain white-tagged until completion of a whole herd test at least six months after the last post-movement test
• The animals cannot be moved off the receiving property without a further Permit to Move being issued unless they are being sent directly to slaughter
• All white-tagged animals should be run separately from other stock on the property if possible
• The TB status of the herd receiving the white-tagged animals is set to Suspended and will remain at that status until the herd has had a clear whole herd test at least six months following the initial post-movement test when it will be set at Clear 1.

Cattle herds

• If there has been a clear herd test following the last TB case, all animals to be moved must be clear to a further skin test applied within 60 days prior to movement. If the herd has not had a clear test, or if reactors are found at a pre-movement test, all animals to be moved must be clear to both a skin test and a blood test. Cattle less than six weeks old may be moved from infected herds without a TB test. For a written Permit to Move for cattle from an infected herd call 0800 482 463.

Deer herds

• If there has been a clear test following the last TB case, all animals to be moved must be clear to a further skin test applied within 60 days prior to movement. If the herd has not had a clear test, or if reactors are found at a pre-movement test, animals may only be moved direct to slaughter. For a written Permit to Move for deer from an infected herd call 0800 482 463.

Order a pre-movement TB test.