Reminder on standstill compliance

Herd-keepers are reminded about the importance of compliance with Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) standstill obligations.

Such arrangements are an important biosecurity defence and apply to cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The movement of animals on to a farm triggers a six-day, whole farm standstill unless covered by one of the exemptions below. The whole farm includes all herds/flocks and associated herds/flocks.

· Movements directly to a slaughterhouse, to/from a veterinary treatment centre or from an artificial insemination centre.

· Farmers can put in place an approved ‘Isolation Facility’, which allows the isolation of animals brought on to their farm. Only the animals in isolation are required to remain under standstill on the farm for six days. The standstill does not affect other animals on the farm. Animals in isolation should not travel to shows.

· Dealers can be registered to operate approved ‘Trading Premises’. This affords the flexibility to move bought-in animals on to another premises within six days, providing the animal moves only once to a farm or premises of final destination.

Over the course of the next few months DARD will introduce a range of enforcement measures, utilising APHIS, on the ground inspections and spot-checks in order to ensure compliance.

Any queries regarding standstill should be addressed to your local Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO) and further information can be obtained from the DARD website.

Notes to Editors:

1. On the 30 November 2004, DARD introduced a six-day, whole farm standstill and has made provision for some exemptions.
2. DARD has provided a facility for farmers to enable them to bring animals onto their farm and hold them in an approved isolation facility, without triggering a standstill for animals already on their farms.
3. DARD is operating a licensing system for dealers and under this system dealers will be able to bring an animal onto trading premises and move it to another farm, within six days, if desired, provided that farm is the final destination of the animal.
4. DARD sent out packages to all keepers in May 2005 explaining standstill procedures.
5. DARD commenced enforcement of the standstill procedures on 7 November 2005.
6. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel 028 9052 4619.