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 which have an imported animal on the holding will continue to be tested every 2 years:

• All animals on the holding over 2 years must be treated
• All imported animals on the holding regardless of age must also be treated

Herds that send 25% of their stock direct to slaughter will not be tested (unless there is an imported animal on the holding, where the above will apply).

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 is maintained through bulk milk testing of dairy herds.

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, through milk sampling for the dairy herds. In addition, 1% of beef herds will be blood tested (Animals over 2 years of age).

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: