TB Frequently Asked Questions

Why was TB found in an animal after my last herd test was clear?

This may happen for several reasons including:

• The TB skin test assesses the disease status of the herd on the day it is completed.
  • Cattle in your herd may have become infected since the previous herd test was completed.
  • This may happen through cattle moving into your herd, contact across fences with your neighbours’ cattle, or contact with infected wildlife, e.g., badgers.
  • Evidence of disease can develop quickly in an animal, as soon as 3-4 weeks after exposure to infection; although it can also take considerably longer.
• Although the tuberculin test is the best test currently available, like all diagnostic tests, it is not perfect. As described in the RHT section of TB Breakdown Test Types page, the TB skin test will miss some infected animals.
  • Infected animals that are negative to the TB skin test may show evidence of disease later, e.g., at the next skin test, or when slaughtered.
  • TB infection can remain in an animal for a long time but cause no clinical symptoms or response to the skin test. Such animals can be difficult to detect in a herd.
  • If they start shedding TB bacteria they can infect other animals, whilst remaining undetected themselves.

Are there restrictions imposed due to overdue TB herd tests?

The EU requires a certain level of TB testing depending on the level of infection in the region. Herds that are considered to be higher risk will require more frequent testing but as a minimum all herds must be tested at least once/year. Any herds that do not follow this testing requirement are placed under movement restriction, so that all other herds can be allowed to trade freely.

To avoid restrictions, simply ensure that your test is completed on time. Each herd has a test set in the future with a “due by” date.

If your TB herd test is not completed within 7 days of the due date, DAERA will apply restrictions automatically, and you will be unable to move animals out of the herd except to slaughter. Animals can however still move into the herd.

Should your test be delayed by more than 37 days past the due by date, DAERA will apply restrictions that prevent buying in, selling, and slaughtering animals until the test is completed and received at your Divisional Veterinary Office. No animals may move into your herd, except possibly one bull (with DAERA permission).

If an Annual Herd Test remains outstanding for 97 days beyond the original due date, the herd will require two clear tests (60 days apart) to re-establish its TB status. You will be required to pay for the second of these herd tests.

If your test remains outstanding for 4 months beyond the original due date, enforcement action is initiated. This may include prosecution.

Failure to test in time may also risk reductions being made to any payments that have been applied for. Reductions can be up to 100% of payments in some cases. . If you have any difficulty in getting your test arranged, you should contact your testing vet and DAERA as soon as possible and before the test becomes overdue.

Why do I have to do an RHT test?

When a breakdown begins with an animal positive at an individual animal test or a Lesion at Routine Slaughter (LRS) and a full herd test has not recently been completed, an RHT may be required. An RHT is an important surveillance test used to establish the disease status of the herd. By identifying and removing infected animals at the earliest opportunity, you can prevent further spread of infection to healthy animals and help to have the breakdown resolved sooner, and OTF status restored. see RHT section of TB Breakdown Test Types page.

Are there restrictions imposed on single animals that have missed annual TB herd tests?

Yes. Any individual animal that has not been TB tested in the previous 15 months will automatically be restricted and require a TB test (PNT test). It will not be permitted to move off farm except directly to slaughter in NI. Only the individual animal will be restricted, not the whole herd. The restriction on the animal is TBN (TB Not tested for 15 months).

An individual animal may have missed an Annual Herd Test because it has been sold from one herd to another and may end up not tested for 15 months because of this.

How do I arrange to have these animals tested and will there be a charge?

The PNT test can be completed as part of the next scheduled herd test, or alternatively, herd-keepers may prefer to have the animal tested privately at their own expense. In any case, the animal cannot leave the herd live except to immediate direct slaughter in NI.

How will I know when the animal I am purchasing was last tested?

DAERA cannot disclose the testing history of an animal without the permission of the owner. However, you can ask the seller directly when the animal last had a TB test. At livestock markets, prospective buyers are, usually, able to see the date of the last TB test for an animal on the display board over the ring at the time of sale.

Why do I have to do an LCT test?

A Lateral Check Test (LCT) is required when a herd is at risk to disease due to its location, usually due to another herd breakdown immediately next door. LCTs are usually carried out on herds that graze land adjacent to that of a breakdown herd (and its associated herds). Such herds may be a source of infection or may be at risk of becoming infected. LCTs are set to detect and reduce local spread of TB. Before any LCT is set, DAERA checks maps of the area and considers field usage, seasonal factors, boundary fences, wildlife, and other factors.

LCT testing regimes will be kept under veterinary review through the duration of the breakdown.

How can I find out when my test is due?

By checking NIFAIS on-line, by asking the vet to whom your test is allocated or by phoning your local Divisional Veterinary Office. If you have any difficulty in getting your test arranged, you should contact your testing vet and DAERA as soon as possible and before the test becomes overdue.

How early can I test?

A herd test can be done in the month preceding the due date.

How soon will my herd be restricted after the due date?

A herd is restricted if a test is not completed and processed within 7 days after the due date.

Who is doing my test?

Herd tests are allocated by DAERA to either a DAERA vet or your nominated veterinary practice Most AHTs and LCTs are done by private vets. You will have nominated your preferred private practice. DAERA vets carry out mostly high-risk tests such as Reactor Herd Tests following disease disclosure.

Do I have to test calves at the TB test?

Ccalves under 6 weeks of age are not routinely tested at any herd test, including reactor herd tests whether homebred or bought in. Occasionally DAERA may request that young calves are tested if there is evidence of infection in young calves during a TB breakdown, but unless DAERA have specifically requested it, calves under 42 days of age should not be tested.

Can the TB and Br test be carried out together?

Yes. This is coordinated when your private vet sends DAERA the list of their tests for the following week. We will then try to synchronise the TB and brucellosis tests if they are both due.

Can I buy, sell, or go to a meat plant in the middle of a test?

The TB test requires two visits three days apart. Between the 2 visits, you can buy-in (unless the herd has been specifically prohibited from purchasing due to already existing restrictions) but you cannot sell. This is because we do not know the test result and do not want animals that may show signs of reaction moved off farm. If you intend to send animals to a meat plant in the middle of a test it is essential that you seek permission from a Patch Vet in the Divisional Veterinary Office in advance of the commencement of day 1 of the test. If permission is granted by the Patch Vet, you must identify and provide the tag numbers of the animals involved to the testing vet on Day 1 of the test. These animals must be tested on Day 1. This is so that if there is a delay in slaughter, the test can be completed.

What is the TB test cycle for different tests?

AHTs (Annual Herd Tests) are set for the same due date each year.

LCTs (Lateral Check Tests) are set in line with veterinary review of the risk assessment with a default interval of 6 months. This pattern may be altered because of grazing arrangements, housing, etc, which may have an impact on risk.

Check Herd Tests are carried out on recently recertified herds (derestricted). CHT and CH1 tests are set with due dates 6 months after derestriction and CH2 tests, if required, are set for 6 months after the CH1.

Why do I have to do an LCT (Lateral Check Test) on my whole herd when I only keep a few animals on the ground that is beside the breakdown?

The risk to your herd from a breakdown herd is assessed by the DAERA vet for your area (the Patch VO). You can phone and discuss the situation with him/her. TB may have spread from animals which grazed beside the breakdown to other parts of your herd - these will be missed if the whole herd is not tested. Occasionally a part herd test may be considered rather than a full herd test.

What is required from me to carry out any TB test?

• All cattle should be properly tagged for the test and handling facilities must be fit for purpose.
• The herd keeper or someone acting on their behalf must be present during the test and adequate help must be provided to collect, pen, and secure the animals for identification and testing.
• Herd records must be up to date and the up-to-date herd register must be available for inspection if required. All births, deaths and movements should be notified to DAERA before the test starts.
• All animals 6 weeks of age and over must be presented for skin testing unless DAERA have advised you otherwise.
• if, in exceptional circumstances, a test has to be postponed, the herd keeper must advise the testing vet immediately.
• Once the test starts, no medication should be given. In some circumstances medication can interfere with the test. In an emergency, please consult with the local DAERA office. Any herd treatments should be carried out after the test has been completed on the day the test is read (Day 4)
• Veterinary Medicine Record Book must be available up to date and available for inspection. The testing vet is required to enter or provide details of the tuberculin used to carry out the test.
• If you have any difficulty getting your test arranged, please contact you testing vet and DAERA as soon as possible and before the test becomes overdue.