Earlier this spring, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) introduced a policy where calves can be moved from one restricted herd to another, which is known as a Controlled Calf Rearing Unit (CCRU).

Agriland recently asked DAFM to clarify the changes to the rules surrounding the restricted sales of calves.

Responding to the query, a spokesperson from DAFM explained that the department has introduced "a number of measures to facilitate the sale of cattle from restricted herds to Controlled Finishing Units (CFU) to allow farmers to sell cattle that have passed a bovine tuberculosis (bTB) skin test whilst ensuring a competitive marketplace for the sale of these cattle".

"In addition to direct sale from farm to CFUs, the department have in place a policy for online sales of cattle from bTB restricted herds to CFUs, facilitated by livestock marts, where the cattle are recorded on farm and the sale is held online to CFUs.

"Only authorised CFUs are allowed to bid at these online auctions and in the event of an agreed sale, the animal moves directly from farm to CFU," the spokesperson said.

CCRU

As well as these measures, DAFM said that this spring, it introduced what it described as "a policy" which aims "to allow the movement of calves from one restricted herd into another herd, which will be known as a Controlled Calf Rearing Unit (CCRU).

What is a CCRU?

According to DAFM, "where calves from only one restricted herd" are moved into the CCRU, these herds will have "the option to trade on the open market after two clear herd tests".

DAFM explained that the herd the calves are moved into "will no longer be designated a CCRU once the herd has had two clear consecutive herd tests".

The DAFM spokesperson said that farmers who wish to avail of CCRU status "should contact their local Regional Veterinary Office".

"There are no restrictions on the sale of calves from herds that are not subject to a bTB restriction," DAFM also clarified.

Stay tuned to Agriland for further updates and information on CCRU herds.