There has been a welcome from farming organisations regarding progress towards Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) status in Northern Ireland.

Ulster Farmers’ Union President, Harry Sinclair said he is pleased with the progress made to date towards Northern Ireland potentially achieving Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) status and has welcomed DARD’s consultation regarding proposals to introduce a proportionate relaxation of the pre-movement testing controls for Brucellosis. The proposed change would see an increase from 12 to 24 months in the age threshold at which cattle require a brucellosis pre-movement test and an extension in the length of the related movement window from 30 to 60 days.

The UFU President said: “There have been no confirmed cases of Brucellosis in Northern Ireland since 2012 and if this continues for a 3rd year then we will be in a position to apply for OBF status in March 2015. Brucellosis will forever be known as the thorn in the side of the Northern Ireland cattle industry and this progress highlights the efforts which have been made to tackle the disease. The UFU are aware that a significant risk of re-infection remains, particularly from imported animals or latent infection and therefore would urge farmers to be vigilant and pro-active in trying to prevent any re-infection. Should re-infection occur, it will be likely that a further three years minimum before OBF status can be applied here.” Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill had reported that Northern Ireland continued to progress towards consideration for Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) status.

As a highly contagious disease of cattle and other animals, Brucellosis often results in abortions and infertility.

The Minister said: “We have passed the two year mark since the last confirmed case of brucellosis, which was at the end of February 2012.

“If we continue to remain free of disease for another year we will be in a position to make the application for OBF status to the EU Commission in March 2015. Once that has been approved we will be able to implement the subsequent progressive reduction of control measures such as annual testing and pre-movement testing.

“However, there remains a risk that there could be latent infection in the country, hence the requirement to demonstrate three years freedom from confirmed infection before the application for OBF will be considered.

“I urge herd owners to be mindful of this possibility and to report all abortions and any suspicion of this disease, to allow Veterinary Service staff to follow up with the necessary investigations. There is also the risk that animals imported from other countries could also bring in infection.” The Minister urged farmers to consider the health of the cattle population as a whole and to give consideration to the disease risks involved, not just from brucellosis, and enquire about the present and past disease status of herds that they are purchasing from.

Minister O’Neill concluded: “I know that fulfilling the terms of the brucellosis eradication programme has, at times, been onerous for farmers but we must give ourselves the best chance of remaining free of disease to ensure that we can enjoy the easing of the control measures that will come with OBF status.” DARD has launched a consultation from April 11 2014 to July 4 2014 seeking views on proposals to introduce a proportionate relaxation of the pre-movement testing controls for brucellosis. The proposed change would see an increase from 12 to 24 months in the age threshold at which cattle require a brucellosis pre-movement test and an extension in the length of the related movement window from 30 to 60 days. Copies of the consultation can be found on http://www.dardni.gov.uk/consultations/.