The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development emphasises that herdkeepers must ensure that all animals in their herd are tested annually for Tuberculosis (TB).

From 5 July 2008, any individual animals that have not been tested for TB in the previous 15 months will be restricted on-farm. They will not be permitted to move off farm except directly to immediate slaughter here. Only the individual animal that has missed being tested will be restricted, not the herd as a whole. The restrictions will be lifted once a clear TB test result is obtained. Herdkeepers may have the animal tested as part of the next herd test, or may prefer to have the animal tested privately at their own expense.

Herdkeepers are advised to check the test status of any animal they are buying, so that they are aware before purchase when its next TB test is required.

During April, the department will be writing to all local herdkeepers to tell them what steps they can take now to ensure all animals in their herds are tested.