Routine disease testing/monitoring of cattle

Tuberculosis

The Island is officially TB free. The testing regime has now been modified further:

• Herds with < 20 animals will not be tested
• Herds that send 25% of their stock direct to slaughter will not be tested
• Herds which have an imported animal on the holding will continue to be tested every 2 years:
  • All animals on the holding over 2 years old must be tested.
  • All imported animals on the holding regardless of age must also be tested.
• All other herds will be tested every 4 years: all animals over 2 years old.

Further information on Bovine Tuberculosis.

Movement of Cattle during a TB test

Please remember you must not move ANY Bovine animal(s) OFF the holding during the TB test unless they are going direct to slaughter in the IOM, this applies to ineligible cattle as well.

Brucellosis

The Isle of Man is an Officially Free Region for bovine Brucellosis under EU Commission Implementing Decision 2011/277/EU of 10 May 2011. 

A low level of testing for Brucellosis is still required until 2016 (five years after gaining status) and owners of herds selected for blood testing will be notified by DEFA.

Enzootic Bovine Leucosis

The Isle of Man is an Officially Free Region for Enzootic Bovine Leukosis under EU Commission Implementing Decision 2011/277/EU of 10 May 2011.

A very low level of testing for Enzootic Bovine Leukosis is maintained by DEFA, mainly through milk sampling. Any herd selected for blood testing will be notified by DEFA.

BSE sampling of Fallen Stock 

All fallen cattle stock which were born since 01/01/1998 and are over 48 months of age are brain sampled at the Animal Waste Processing Plant (AWPP).

For further information contact the Animal Health Division: