New Zealand-Combatting TB.

NEW ZEALAND-HANDLING TB IN CATTLE-A LESSON FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM.

With many dairy herds on the move at this time of year, Animal Health Board (AHB) regional co-ordinator Terry Hynes said it is timely to remind farmers of the need for completing and signing Animal Status Declaration (ASD) forms with details and herd numbers.

This also applies to livestock sold on-farm or through saleyards.

"Farmers also need to be very mindful that animals are required to be tagged with official tags.

"If animals are slaughtered without the barcode and primary tag, it can mean a deduction of up to 30c a kilogram which equates to $60 per head for a 200kg animal."

Mr Hynes said the AHB and farmer-run TB free committees want to create more awareness among dairy farmers and their workers.

TB free posters are currently being distributed by AHB TB testing contractors.

"But if farmers have not received one or would like more, they can be obtained by either contacting their TB tester or the Animal Health Board on 0800 4 824 646.

"With the bigger farms, it is important to have this reminder there."

Mr Hynes suggests farmers write their herd number on the posters and have it displayed in a highly visible position for all those working on the farm.

"This way all workers on the farm know what to do," he said.

The TB control programme in New Zealand is guided by the National Pest Management Strategy for Bovine TB (NPMS) and managed by the Animal Health Board under TB free New Zealand.

TB free endeavours to manage and confine the spread of disease within cattle and deer herds. It also aims to control and contain the wild animal species mostly responsible for spreading the disease to cattle and deer.

Any herd owners or sharemilkers contemplating moving or selling their herds at the end of this season should contact the AHB on 0800 4TB INFO.

Taranaki TB free committee chairman Donald McIntyre and his committee have given this promotion full support and said it’s important that all dairy farmers and their staff are aware of their obligations in controlling the spread of TB, ASDs and the AHB tags greatly assist with the tracing of infection when it does occur.