SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS – CATTLE

Animal Health Status

TB - Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme

All animals must come from herds, which are Officially TB free (OTF - i.e., not restricted) and the herd and relevant animals must have had a clear test within the previous 12 months – this test must be recorded on the Department’s Animal Health Computer System (AHCS).  In general, apart from cows, and males over the age of 36 months (see next paragraph) no pre-movement test is required for TB.  However, it is recommended by the Department that a 30-day pre-movement test for TB should apply to all Shows.  Animals which have disclosed inconclusive reactor results are not permitted to be moved for the purpose of exhibition at shows. 

New Animal Health Law Requirements

From the 1 February 2023, cows and males over the age of 36 months that move from a show to a different herd must either have been tested in the previous 30 days or the animal and the herd presenting it to the show must have been tested in the previous six months prior to movement.  If a cow, or a male over the age of 36 months, moves from a show to a different herd and does not meet the above criteria then a TB test must be carried out on the animal concerned within 30 days of its movement into the new herd.  If after 30 days, the animal has not been tested, the herd into which it has moved will be restricted and if, after a further 30 days the animal has still not been tested then the entire herd will be listed for a TB test. 

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

All bovine animals must have a negative BVD status for BVD virus (not antibody) when moving, including to shows, within the state.  Regarding animals entering the state from abroad including Northern Ireland (NI), it is recommended these are tested for BVD and evidence provided to the show organiser.  Some animals from NI may have been tested in the voluntary phase of the programme there.  It is possible for a declaration of such negative results to be generated from the NI database and provided to the show organiser.  Animals entering the state, including Northern Ireland, must have a valid E.U. Health Certificate

Bovine Identification & Mandatory Electronic Identification of bovines (EID)

Mandatory electronic identification (EID) of bovines has been implemented with effect from 1^st July 2022.  This means that all bovine animals born on or after 1^st July 2022 must be identified with 2 official flag tags, one of which contains an EID component. All bovines born prior to 1^st July 2022 must continue to bear 2 official flag tags as heretofore.  There is no mandatory requirement that bovines in this age category bear an official EID tag. 

Passports

All bovines attending shows must be accompanied by their passports.

Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) Notification

1. The movement of cattle to and from an Agricultural Show/Fair within the State must be recorded on the AIM System.
2. With effect from 4 February 2019 there is a specific Certificates of Compliance for the “Movement of Bovine from a Single Holding to a Show”, form NBAS 31K refers.
3. The herd keeper must obtain the Certificate of Compliance prior to the movement of animals.  The certificate can be created by (i) applying on-line using their agfood account or (ii) where the keeper is not on-line the certificate can be generated by the local Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) following receipt of a completed form NBAS 31 K.
4. The creation of a certificate is subject to normal movement criteria such as clear TB test etc. 
5. A copy of form NBAS 31K is included at Appendix 2 and will also be available on www.gov.ie.
6. When applying for this certificate, the Show/Fair number is not required. The certificate generated will include an “S” symbol.
7. The Certificate of Compliance for a show will continue to be valid for a period of up to 30 days.  As is currently the case, these can be used for the movement of animal/s to several shows during the validity period of the certificate.  Requests to the RVO should be provided with sufficient time to allow for the certificate to be generated and issued especially where one cert expires, and another is required immediately.  Keepers who are likely to attend at consecutive shows are strongly advised to apply using agfood.
8. Calves which are less than 10 days old cannot be moved to a Show.
9. The Movement Notification Section of the Certificate should be completed and signed by the Keeper.  The form should also be signed / stamped by the Show Secretary who must clearly indicate the Show Number.  The Show movement should be recorded on the passport.  Ultimate responsibility for fulfilling these requirements lies with the Show Secretary.
10. If the animal/s move from the show to a herd other than the source herd, the new destination herd must also sign the certificate.
11. Completed forms must be sent by the Show Secretary to the local RVO within seven days of the Show. Failure to have movements recorded within the required time scale may have implications for the herd keeper/s involved

Cattle for Breeding and Production

Valid identity card/passport                                     -              all animals

Negative TB test (Intra Trade interpretation)  -               all animals aged over 42 days within 30 days prior to movement

1. Regarding BVD, keepers will need to satisfy the RVO that
   1. the proposed show will not accept animals from herds that have contained animals Persistently Infected (P.I.) with BVD within the past 18 months
   2. all animals at the show will come from herds where every animal has either a direct or indirect negative BVD test.
2. An official certificate of non-comminglement should be issued by the veterinarian at the show, at or before the time of return.
3. All animals should be isolated for at least 14 days on their return to the herd of origin.  The herd keeper should make arrangements with the RVO to have the animal(s) sampled for BVD antibody and antigen before mixing with the rest of the herd.
4. Keepers should be aware that if the results of these tests indicate that the animal(s) pose a risk to the National eradication programme, an epidemiological investigation may be triggered.

Note – Normal movement rules including the 30-day residency rule will apply.

Chairman: Bill Carroll
Stewards: Tom Acheson, Frankie Quinlan, Kevin Cooney, Graham Swanton, Cathal Boland