Why does my herd have to be restricted?

Information related to why a herd may be restricted due to a Tuberculosis (TB) reactor.

Once reactors have been found in a herd, it is necessary to minimise contact with cattle in other herds. Some of the cattle in the herd may be incubating the disease but have not yet reached the stage where they will react to the tuberculin test. Movement of any cattle from the herd is prohibited until a series of tests are carried out to ensure, as far as possible, that only disease free cattle are moved to other herds or to markets. You will be informed of a herd movement restriction on form BT23/BT25.

You will be able to take animals direct to a slaughterhouse in Northern Ireland provided the normal cycle of risk herd tests is adhered to. Should the RHT (Restricted Herd Test) or any herd test  be delayed more than 1 month past the due by date, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will remove the facility for any movement to and from your herd until the RHT due is completed and received at your Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO). Where an animal that is to be moved to slaughter is individually subject to restriction notices (BT21, BT23 or BT28), the animal must be accompanied by a special movement licence (MC2L), which is available from the local DVO.

Cattle in restricted herds may not be moved to other herds or to markets. In very exceptional circumstances, cattle from restricted herds may be moved to isolated premises but this will only be with the direct authority of the DVO following an investigation.

Cattle from a herd restricted for disease reasons may go directly to an abattoir. Cattle from a herd restricted for overdue testing reasons may not be able to go and you should contact your local DVO for clarification.

If you would like clarification, you should discuss these points with your local DVO.