New Measures to Help Farmers Sell TB Restricted Cattle
Post TB Sale Isolation Units’ have been introduced so that unsold animals returning to their home premises from dedicated sales can be kept segregated from other cattle on the same holding.
Under previous rules farmers were wary about sending animals to dedicated sales because cattle not sold at these gatherings were barred from returning to their premises of origin.
Linda Evans, TB lead Veterinary Service Manager for Animal Health, said the new option should help to boost the autumn sales by encouraging more farmers to use dedicated sales for TB restricted cattle.
“If farmers have established one of these new units on their premises they will be able to send animals to market safe in the knowledge that they can bring them back if they don’t achieve the right price,” she said.
“The idea for Post Sale TB Isolation Units came from a working group we set up at the end of last year at the suggestion of the TB Eradication Group (TBEG).
“The group, which comprises farmers, key trade associations, the NFU and auctioneers, wanted to help farmers under TB restrictions to either sell their animals or take them home if the price they were offered at sales did not meet their expectations.”
Premises in annual testing parishes in England will be allowed to operate one Post TB Sale Isolation Unit.
In other areas animals may return to a TB Isolation Unit (with slightly different biosecurity considerations) on the premises of origin. These units can already be set up, and guidance is available on the Animal Health website.
All units will need to be approved by Animal Health, and will be placed under TB2 movement restrictions. Animals kept in isolation units will undergo TB testing with the eventual aim of reintegrating them with other cattle on the holding.
A number of conditions will apply to all Post TB Sale Isolation Units. For more information about these conditions, and isolation units in general, visit the Animal Health website.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
