Grace period for annual tb testing

king_of_inismac

Hi all,

the cattle are due for tb testing on my dads farm this month. But hes quite sick and unable to farm now. I keep things ticking over at weekends but struggling to arrange testing in the next weeks.

is there any penalties for late testing? He is not selling any this year so no issue there.

thanks,

james

tanko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120141267#Comment_120141267

Don’t worry too much about it, those letters are sent out by a computer two weeks after your supposed to have it done telling you to do it within the next two weeks. Your herd will probably be restricted. There are farmers who are months late with with their tests with no good reason, a few weeks late is no big deal, there’s far worse stuff going on.

cute geoge

The dept. will haunt you once the 12 months is up with letters and they will lock up the herd and stress you out .I would try my best to get it done to be honest ,arrange with vet in advance by 2/ 3 weeks and he will fit you in with a time to suit you

Base price

The herd will be automatically restricted meaning that you cannot sell or buy in cattle but you can go directly to a factory with any. Is there any neighbours that you could call upon to give you help or the Veterinary practice maybe able to suggest a person who could help/present the cattle for testing/reading.

king_of_inismac

Okay - will take a few days off work and do it in the coming weeks. It was due on the 14th of january so already more than a week behind. Thanks for the help!

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120141267#Comment_120141267

One day (assuming you are Monday to Friday) and off Saturday. Even a half day if the vet can tell you I will be on at 2 on Wednesday and then read on Saturday

893bet

Assuming cattle are all in and not outwintered etc

tanko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120141249#Comment_120141249

A computer will send out one letter two weeks after the due date telling him to do the test within another two weeks, it’s not a big deal, he hasn’t murdered anyone.

whelan2

Ring the department and explain your circumstances, that you will do it, just will have to organise things

Mooooo

As mentioned above try and arrange a time that suits as best as possible. Can be read or tested Sat if vet obliges. Prob best to have it done anyway as if ill health is there and time pressures come on sometimes the easiest thing to do would be sell some stock.

Department have experience with most circumstances so contact them as Whelan said as well

whelan2

Was just thinking if you ring the department, you'll be asked have you authority to deal with the herd number. If possible if your dad could be there and give his authority to you if not already done

ruwithme

As said above, give them a ring & explain the situation. There will be no problem delaying it a month or more if needed be in the circumstances.

Don't be concerning over it anyways, herd will be restricted as is the norm & you can't sell or buy, only to slaughter house.

Way to many folk worrying needlessly nowadays over regulations e.t.c. which are unimportant when compared to people's health.

Anto_Meath

Ring the department and have a chat with them. You were allowed defer a test for 6 weeks but I think that is now extended to 3 months (but that might only be from the 1st of February) under the new changes that are coming in on the 1st of Feb. Your herd will be restricted from selling animals in the Mart from the due date of the test, but you say that isn't an issue so that's ok. Ring the department and talk to them, they are generally very understanding when personal issues arise & do try to help if they can.

I recall meeting a lady called Margaret in the department after my dad passed away. She brought me into a back office and couldn't do enough to help me. I was kind of afraid going in but she was brilliant & really went out of her way to be off assistance. I thanked her for her help, she said sure we are dealing with farmers every day sure we know the story.. made me laugh cause I know sometimes us farmers don't have a good opinion of the department. But I would guess its more the organisation as a whole rather than the staff in it..

orm0nd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120143035#Comment_120143035

If on Agfood you can nominate 2 (I think) people to handle your affairs on your behalf, with the department.

I presume you can do same with written letter

GDPR changed a lot of things.

Mr..

If possible test on a saturday as you have the full day off and read on tuesday, testing takes longer than reading usually.

whelan2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120144724#Comment_120144724

When I did it for my dad, my dad was beside me and he just told the girl he gave his permission.

J.O. Farmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120144746#Comment_120144746

Depends on the number of cattle you have. If you have a small number you could be longer waiting on the vet than testing.

The vet may also only read on Saturday, they might not test as testing takes longer.

GNWoodd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120144390#Comment_120144390

I don’t understand this line. Your herd will be restricted …from the due date of the test …. Does that mean that the herd is restricted from the day the test expires? Without any further correspondence from Dept ? Does this only come in from Feb 1st ?

Anto_Meath

@GNWoodd , sorry, I ment that if say your test was due the 20th February and you decided to push your test out 3 months to the 20th May. Your herd will be restricted from the 21st of February (can't sell cattle in a mart) until you test.

I had occasion to talk with the Dept when my father was very ill with cancer. To be fair to them they were very understanding.

k mac

Bumping this with a somewhat similar query. If you have no cattle at the time of your test i presume you just inform the department of this, but has this any knock on effect such as your herd number might then be inactive due to not having a test in a year

Anto_Meath

@k mac yes, you just inform them you have no animals to test. Think you have to sign a form stating the same. Then when you wish to purchase animals you have to inform them before you buy. Once you purchase animals you will be required to test them.

k mac

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120956036#Comment_120956036

Thanks. I have a few for selling that are in test but as test is due in a months time if i sell before will have no cattle to then test. Think i will wait and get them tested hope the price doesn't drop much in a few weeks, save the hassle of having to arrange test when i buy in again.