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This document provides guidance for herdkeepers on statutory biosecurity requirements and recommended actions to prevent the spread of brucellosis in cattle. It outlines 14 legal requirements that herdkeepers must follow, such as notifying authorities of abortions or suspected infections and testing animals before movement. It also lists 13 key biosecurity actions herdkeepers should take, such as proper disposal of foetuses and not sharing facilities with infected herds. The guidance is intended to help eliminate brucellosis by outlining both the legal duties and recommended best practices for herdkeepers.
This document provides guidance for herdkeepers on statutory biosecurity requirements and recommended actions to prevent the spread of brucellosis in cattle. It outlines 14 legal requirements that herdkeepers must follow, such as notifying authorities of abortions or suspected infections and testing animals before movement. It also lists 13 key biosecurity actions herdkeepers should take, such as proper disposal of foetuses and not sharing facilities with infected herds. The guidance is intended to help eliminate brucellosis by outlining both the legal duties and recommended best practices for herdkeepers.
This document provides guidance for herdkeepers on statutory biosecurity requirements and recommended actions to prevent the spread of brucellosis in cattle. It outlines 14 legal requirements that herdkeepers must follow, such as notifying authorities of abortions or suspected infections and testing animals before movement. It also lists 13 key biosecurity actions herdkeepers should take, such as proper disposal of foetuses and not sharing facilities with infected herds. The guidance is intended to help eliminate brucellosis by outlining both the legal duties and recommended best practices for herdkeepers.
You can get a copy of this document in other formats, such as: Large print Braille Audio CD Computer disk Other languages To get a copy of this document in another format contact: TB & Brucellosis Policy Branch Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Room 650 Dundonald House Upper Newtownards Road Ballymiscaw BELFAST BT4 3SB Tel: (028) 9052 5479 Fax: (028) 9052 4305 Email: TBBR.Policybranch@dardni.gov.uk Statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis Page 1 What is Biosecurity? Biosecurity is the word used to describe the common-sense steps we all take to reduce the spread of disease. Good biosecurity is vital to help prevent the risk of brucellosis to your herd and to help eradicate this disease. What is Brucellosis? Brucellosis is a highly contagious disease of cattle and other animals, which often results in abortions and infertility. The disease is spread by contact with infected female animals; an infected aborted foetus; or discharged placental tissues and fuids from an infected animal. It can be spread to animals and humans that come into contact with an infected animal at the time of calving. Breeding bulls can also become infected and then spread the disease amongst females via infected semen. What is the Defnition of an Abortion? An abortion is legally defned in Article 2 of the Brucellosis Control Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 (as amended) (the 2004 Control Order) as any bovine foetus or calf born dead or which dies within 24 hours of birth. The Herdkeepers Responsibility The guidance 1 brings together in one short document the statutory requirements for herdkeepers in relation to brucellosis specifcally and the recommended key actions that they should take to protect their herd from risk of brucellosis. Herdkeepers have a vital role in eliminating the threat of brucellosis. Therefore you should read the following advice carefully. Table 1 explains what you must do by law; Table 2 explains the key actions that you should take to ensure good biosecurity on your farm; and Table 3 sets out some further useful biosecurity advice for brucellosis. It is important to note that: Table 1 of this guidance summarises the existing legal requirements on herdkeepers in relation to control of brucellosis. Herdkeepers are reminded that failure to follow the existing statutory requirements set out in Table 1 (with the exception of requirement number 3 in respect of animal by-products) may result in some, or all, of a herdkeepers compensation being withheld if their animals become infected with brucellosis. The advice set out in Table 2 and in Table 3 does not place any additional legal requirements on herdkeepers but highlights important steps that you should take to reduce the risk of brucellosis on your farm. Failure to comply with this guidance is admissible in evidence in any civil or criminal proceedings and a Court may take account of any failure to act in accordance with it in deciding any question in all such proceedings. For additional advice on biosecurity you should also refer to the voluntary Biosecurity Code for Northern Ireland Farms 2 , which was developed by the Department in conjunction with key stakeholders in 2004. 1 As provided for by the Diseases of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 and the Biosecurity Guidance (Specifcation of Brucellosis) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010 No. 176) 2 http://www.dardni.gov.uk/biosecurity-code-booklet.htm Statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis Page 2 Statutory Requirements (As provided for by Article 18(6) of the Diseases of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, failure to follow these statutory requirements (with the exception of requirement number 3 in respect of animal by-products) may result in some, or all, of your compensation being withheld if your animals become infected with brucellosis) Relevant Legislation 1 Notify a Divisional Veterinary Offce as soon as possible if you: a. have an animal which is affected or suspected of being affected with brucellosis; or b. know or suspect that an animal in your herd has been exposed to the possibility of infection with brucellosis. Article 3(1) of the 2004 Control Order 2 Notify a Divisional Veterinary Offce as soon as possible if you know or have reason to suspect that any animal in your herd has had an abortion. (An abortion means any bovine foetus or calf born dead or which dies within 24 hours of birth) Article 4(1) of the 2004 Control Order 3 Ensure that animal by-products (including fallen stock, foetuses and afterbirths) are collected, transported and disposed of without undue delay (as soon as is reasonably practical, taking account of the circumstances) in accordance with animal by-products legislation. Regulation (EC) No. 1069/2009 Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (NI) 2011 4 Immediately house in isolation any animal that aborts and retain it in isolation until the Department has tested it and informed the herdkeeper that it may rejoin the herd. Articles 4(3) and (4) of the 2004 Control Order 5 When an abortion has taken place, liberally spray the area where the abortion took place with an approved disinfectant as soon as possible. Article 4(3) of the 2004 Control Order 6 Ensure that manure containing discharges or fuids from an animal that has had an abortion is stored away from access by livestock for at least 6 months and not spread on grazing felds for at least 12 months. Article 4(5) of the 2004 Control Order 7 Animals (except steers) over 12 months old should not be moved (except direct to slaughter or from a market, show or exhibition) unless they: a. have reacted negatively to a pre-movement test on a sample taken during the 30 days prior to the date of movement; or b. are moved under and in accordance with the conditions of a licence issued by the Department. (NB This requirement also applies to animals moving to or from overwintering premises) Article 5(2) of the 2004 Control Order Table 1 - Statutory Requirements relating to Brucellosis Statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis Page 3 8 Maintain fencing dividing a holding from adjoining land in such condition as to prevent: a. contact between the herd and animals on adjoining land; or b. the herd from straying from the holding. Article 10(1) of the 2004 Control Order 9 Where a reactor is found in any herd, the keeper of the herd shall take all practical precautions to prevent the infection of animals kept on adjoining lands by contact with animals from that holding. Article 10(2) of the 2004 Control Order 10 Comply with any notice served by the Department prohibiting grazing on all or part of the holding for a period of up to 6 months by animals other than steers. Article 11 of the 2004 Control Order 11 Do not bring on to any holding on which a herd is kept any milk or dairy by-products for feeding to livestock kept on the holding except when the milk or dairy by-product - a. comes from a holding not subject to a restriction notice; b. has been converted into powdered form; or c. has been boiled or pasteurised. Article 12 of the 2004 Control Order 12 Comply with any notice served by the Department regarding the cleansing and disinfection of any holding, equipment, appliance, utensil, etc. Article 13 of the 2004 Control Order 13 Cleanse and disinfect vehicles used for the transport of animals, carcases, litter or dung in accordance with any notice served by the Department. Article 14 of the 2004 Control Order 14 Present animals or carcases for brucellosis testing when required by the Department. Paragraph 3(2) of the Schedule to the Brucellosis (Examination and Testing) Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 15 Do not, except with the prior permission of the Department, move or attempt to move or cause or permit to be moved any animal off a holding - a. while it is undergoing an offcial test; or b. where a sample taken in the course of such testing is submitted to an approved laboratory for testing, until the result of any such test is notifed to you by the Department. Paragraph 4 of the Schedule to the Brucellosis (Examination and Testing) Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 Statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis Page 4 Key Actions When you should adhere to this Key Action 1 Dispose of foetuses and afterbirths promptly and hygienically, keeping material secure and contained until disposal. At all times 2 Do not move animals into your herd from a herd under brucellosis restriction. At all times 3 Do not share housing with herds under brucellosis restriction. At all times 4 Do not share common grazing with a herd under brucellosis restriction. At all times 5 Do not use or share bulls from a herd under brucellosis restriction. At all times 6 Do not allow animals to graze on other herdowners land which is under brucellosis restriction. At all times 7 Do not house animals on other herdowners premises which are under brucellosis restriction. At all times 8 Do not use vehicles or equipment that have been in contact with animals from a herd under brucellosis restriction. At all times 9 Do not use or spread slurry from a herd under brucellosis restriction without permission from the Department. At all times 10 Do not purchase or use silage or feed from a herdkeeper whose premises are under brucellosis restriction without permission from the Department. At all times 11 Do not allow a herdkeeper with brucellosis infection in his/her herd to have contact with your animals. At all times 12 Do not work with any other herdkeepers animals that are under brucellosis restriction. At all times 13 Do not sell silage, feed or milk without permission from the Department. (Milk from restricted herds can go for pasteurisation but milk from animals showing a positive reaction to tests for brucellosis or any symptoms of the disease must be withheld). 1) When the Department has notifed you that your herd is at risk; or 2) when your herd is restricted. Table 2 - Key Actions that Herdkeepers Should Take Statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis Page 5 14 Do not share bulls with other herds. 1) When the Department has notifed you that your herd is at risk; or 2) when your herd is restricted. 15 Seek advice from your local Divisional Veterinary Offce or private veterinary surgeon in all cases where abortions may have occurred or fertility is problematic. At all times Table 3 - Further Useful Biosecurity Advice for Brucellosis Recommended Actions 1 Calve cows in isolation, especially animals calving in the herd for the frst time. 2 Ensure calving pens are cleansed and disinfected regularly. 3 Avoid overwintering animals in accommodation shared with other herdkeepers cattle. 4 Enquire about the present and past disease status of herds from which you are purchasing or when taking grazing from any herdkeeper and avoid purchasing animals from: a) herds in an area designated by the Department as high risk 1 or b) herds where you may have reason to believe that there is a suspicion of brucellosis infection. 5 When purchasing animals from outside Northern Ireland, give due consideration to the disease risks involved 2 . 1 The Department will identify areas of high risk by reference to townlands where there is more than one herd with a confrmed outbreak of brucellosis. This information can be made available at the request of prospective purchasers by their local Divisional Veterinary Offce. 2 The local Divisional Veterinary Offce can advise on the disease risks of purchasing animals from specifc countries. Statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis Page 6 Defnitions of Terms Used in this Guidance abortion means any bovine foetus or calf born dead or which dies within 24 hours of birth (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); animal means a bovine animal (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); approved disinfectant means a disinfectant for the time being approved by the Department under the Diseases of Animals (Approval of Disinfectants) Order (Northern Ireland) 1972 (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); at risk, in relation to a herd, means a herd which has been designated by the Department, in writing, as having a high probability of being exposed to brucellosis; breakdown herd means a herd where at least one animal has confrmed brucellosis; bull means a mature male animal which has not been castrated; carcase means the carcase of an animal (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); cow means a mature female animal; Department means the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; herd means (a) an animal kept, or (b) a group of animals kept, managed or housed together (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); herdkeeper means any person or organisation responsible for animals, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, including during transportation or at a market (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); high risk, in relation to an area, means an area identifed by the Department and defned by reference to townlands, where there is more than one herd with confrmed brucellosis; holding means any establishment, construction or, in the case of an open-air farm, place in which animals are held, kept or handled and includes land with or without buildings (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); livestock means any creature kept for the production of food, wool, skin or fur or (excluding a dog) for use in the farming of land (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); market means a market place, sale yard or other premises or place in or upon which animals are exhibited for the purpose of public sale (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); Statutory Biosecurity Guidance for Brucellosis Page 7 offcial test means a test to determine whether or not an animal is diseased and includes (a) a test carried out in an approved laboratory on a sample of blood or milk from an animal in accordance with Annex C of Council Directive 64/432/EEC; (b) such other test carried out on an animal or sample therefrom, as the Department may require. (See the Brucellosis (Examination and Testing) Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2004); pasteurised means retained at a temperature of not less than 145 Fahrenheit and not more than 150 Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes or at a temperature of not less than 162 Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); pre-movement test means in the case of any animal an offcial test carried out in accordance with Annex C of Council Directive 64/432/EEC by a laboratory approved by the Department for those purposes on a sample taken from it in accordance with Article 5 (5) of the Brucellosis Control Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 (See Article 5 of the Brucellosis Control Order (Northern Ireland) 2004); restricted means a herd which is subject to a notice (Form BT40) served under Article 8(1) of the 2004 Control Order and which, amongst other things, may require the herdkeeper to prohibit the movement of any animal to or from the holding on which the herd is kept; reactor means an animal which has undergone an offcial test, the result of which shall give the Department reason to believe that the animal is probably affected with brucellosis (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order); steer means a male animal which has been castrated (see Article 2 of the 2004 Control Order). A list of Divisional Veterinary Offces can be found by visiting the Departments website - www.dardni.gov.uk/veterinary-service. DMS 12.13.148 ISBN 978-1-84807-362-3