Grace period for COVID-19-delayed TB tests to end

Grace period for COVID-19-delayed TB tests to end

The Department of Agriculture is set to end its 28-day grace period on suspending the trading status of a herd that has a TB test delayed due to COVID-19.

From 1 July a herd that cannot be TB tested due to coronavirus-related issues will have its trading status suspended once it becomes overdue. These herds will still be permitted to send animals directly to slaughter.

Herds with a TB test due up to and including 30 June may avail of the grace period, if necessary.

The additional window of flexibility was introduced on 1 April for farmers who were self-isolating due to symptoms of COVID-19 or were cocooning as part of a vulnerable group and had no one else available to assist the vet in testing the herd.

Approximately 1,000 herds made use of the 28-day grace period to delay their TB tests.

Calves

While this flexibility has now been tightened, accommodations for the testing of calves are still in place. Calves between 42 and 120 days of age should be tested only where both the farmer and the vet are satisfied social distancing can be adhered to.

Of the herds with calves this age tested in May, 78% tested all such calves, 8% tested some but not all, and 14% did not test any.

Written by Barry Cassidy on 22 June 2020

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/grace-period-for-covid-19-delayed-tb-tests-to-end-553391