All IRs in the HRA and Edge Area (and in TB breakdown herds in the LRA) that have a negative result on re-testing remain restricted for the rest of their life to the holding in which they were found. The only permitted off movements for such animals are to slaughter, either directly or via an Approved Finishing Unit.

Resolved IRs have a significantly higher likelihood of becoming reactors than clear tested animals, and as such present an increased risk of spreading TB. Restricting resolved IRs for life to the holding in which they were found prevents transfer of this risk to other herds.

Slaughtering all IRs would be disproportionately costly. Increased numbers of TB-free cattle would be slaughtered resulting in additional herds being unnecessarily placed under movement restrictions. Accepting that the risk can never be completely eliminated, the policy aims to reduce the risk to an acceptable level with the resources available to the government.

No, not necessarily. Keepers can send an IR to slaughter privately, before it is re-tested, under licence from APHA. Keepers wishing to privately slaughter an IR must contact APHA to discuss the implications and obtain a licence to move the animal to slaughter.

It is the keeper’s responsibility to ensure resolved IRs are restricted for life to the holding in which they were found. If a keeper intends to retain resolved IRs in their herd it is advisable, but not mandatory, to physically identify them to prevent their accidental movement off the holding. This can be achieved by using a management tag or freeze brand and/or marking the animal’s passport.  It is also advisable to keep a record of any resolved IRs in the herd register.

A restriction notice is issued by APHA explaining the conditions of the restrictions and the keeper’s obligations.

Potentially, yes. Cattle keepers can commission interferon-gamma blood testing of resolved IRs at their own cost. The keeper must first seek permission from APHA through their private vet. The blood sample must be collected on or after the injection date (day 1) of the clear IR re-test. If the resolved IR tests negative to the gamma test, the animal is free to move off the holding, unless it is subject to any other whole herd movement restrictions. If the animal tests positive, it is compulsorily slaughtered (with compensation paid), movement restrictions are applied to the whole herd (if not already in force), and standard TB breakdown procedures followed.

Animals less than six months of age are excluded from gamma testing as their immune systems are still developing and this can interfere with the test, leading to false positive results. If a resolved IR is too young for a gamma test, the keeper may apply to APHA to defer the test until the animal becomes old enough. The keeper or their private vet must contact APHA to discuss the situation and all cases are assessed on an individual basis.

A resolved IR in a TB-restricted herd undergoing government funded mandatory gamma testing will automatically be included in any whole herd testing as long as it is over six months of age. If the resolved IR tests negative to the gamma test then the restrictions on the animal are lifted, though it would continue to be subject to whole herd movement restrictions. If the resolved IR tests positive to the gamma test it is compulsorily slaughtered with compensation paid, just like any other reactor.

Yes. Resolved IRs are permitted to move to slaughter directly or via an approved slaughter gathering. If your herd is officially TB free, you don’t need to apply to APHA for a specific licence. The general licence is available to view and download from GOV.UK. Although a copy of the general licence doesn’t need to accompany the cattle, you should familiarise yourself with the conditions before moving the animals to slaughter. Resolved IRs in TB breakdown herds are sent to slaughter using the licences issued to you by APHA, for example the general licence to slaughter TB24c.

Yes. Resolved IRs can be moved to an Approved Finishing Unit (AFU) either directly or via an approved TB dedicated sale (orange market).  If your herd is officially TB free, this move can take place using the general licence available on GOV.UK.  Although a copy of the general licence doesn’t need to accompany the cattle, you should familiarise yourself with the conditions before moving the animals. Resolved IRs in TB breakdown herds can be sent to an AFU or approved TB dedicated sale subject to particular conditions.  You will need to apply to APHA for a specific licence.

Temporary CPH (tCPH)
Resolved IRs found at a tCPH are restricted for life to the permanent CPH associated with the tCPH. The resolved IR is only permitted to move back to the permanent CPH associated with the tCPH, or to slaughter either directly or via an AFU. Once back at the permanent CPH, the animal is restricted for life to that CPH.

Temporary Land Association (TLA)
If a resolved IR is found at a TLA it is restricted to the permanent CPH associated with the TLA. Subsequent movements of the resolved IR to the TLA are permitted, as by definition the land falls within 10 miles of the permanent CPH. For more information on livestock movements, tCPHs and TLAs, see the Defra guidance.

If a resolved IR is found whilst at common grazing it is restricted for life to the keeper’s home holding which must have a permanent CPH number. The resolved IR is not permitted to move to common grazing again because of the increased risk it potentially presents to other herds that use the common land.

No. Resolved IRs are restricted to the holding in which they were found for the rest of their life and cannot move off to agricultural shows.

Yes. Resolved IRs can move off the holding for veterinary treatment under a licence issued by APHA. After treatment the animal must return directly to the home holding or to slaughter.

APHA carries out percentage checks of resolved IRs to ensure that they remain restricted for life. Non-compliances are referred to the relevant Local Authority for investigation and any enforcement action they deem appropriate.