Herd TB status changes encourage testing

26 November 2013

Herd TB status changes encourage testing

Farmers and lifestylers are being encouraged to get their cattle and deer tested for bovine tuberculosis (TB) as soon as they have been registered with the TBfree New Zealand programme.

To ensure the programme’s testing requirements are as accurate as possible for all animals, some changes have been made to the TB status of herds.

The changes directly affect newly-registered breeding herds and non-breeding (dry stock) herds. All new breeding herds now start off on a Suspended (S) herd TB status until they have passed their first whole herd test.

The changes took effect from Monday 25 November. Newly-formed breeding herds are a potential TB risk so should have a whole herd test within at least 12 months of registering with TBfree New Zealand.

All herds – and in the case of lifestyle properties even one animal makes a herd – must be registered with TBfree New Zealand when formed. Once newly-registered breeding herds have passed a whole herd test, they will receive a Clear 2 (C2) status.

However, all non-breeding herds are now classed as Clear Monitored (CM) and will be assessed by TBfree New Zealand to determine their testing requirements.

Dr Stu Hutchings, TBfree New Zealand Farm Operations Group Manager, said a C2 status indicates the herd has definitely passed a routine TB test.

“These herd TB status changes will help thousands of farmers to minimise the risk of purchasing stock that may not have been TB tested.” said Dr Hutchings.

“To ensure cattle and deer herds are tested, they must register with the TBfree New Zealand programme. The herd manager will then be contacted to arrange a suitable time for the test to take place.”

Cattle and deer herds can be registered by calling TBfree New Zealand on 0800 482 4636 or visiting www.tbfree.org.nz

For more information on the herd TB status changes, please click here

-ends-

© Scoop Media