A bovine TB breakdown is one of the most stressful events a cattle farmer can face, and amid the testing, movement restrictions and reactor removals it is easy to overlook how fallen stock arising during a breakdown must be handled. Martlands supports cattle farmers through these periods with licensed collection as part of our fallen stock and ABP collection service, working from our family-run, DEFRA approved base in Burscough, Lancashire. Understanding the role of APHA and the correct disposal route keeps you compliant when the pressure is highest.
How a TB Breakdown Changes Fallen Stock Handling
During a TB breakdown, your herd is under official control and the disposal of animals is closely tied to the actions of the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Reactors identified at testing are usually removed under official arrangements, but animals that die on farm during a breakdown period, whether from the disease, from related stress, or from unrelated causes, still need lawful disposal through a licensed collector. The key point is that you cannot simply treat a TB-period death the way you might treat a routine fallen animal without first understanding where official involvement begins and ends.
The Role of APHA
APHA administers TB controls, manages reactor removal and oversees the surveillance that detects breakdowns in the first place. Knowing who they are and what they cover helps you understand which deaths fall under official arrangements and which you must arrange disposal for yourself. Our explainer on who is APHA introduces the agency, and our companion piece on what APHA is responsible for sets out the breadth of their remit across notifiable disease and surveillance. When in doubt during a breakdown, your vet and APHA are your first points of contact, and your licensed collector handles the lawful disposal of any fallen animals that fall to you.
Storage and Biosecurity Under Restriction
Movement restrictions during a breakdown make biosecurity more important than ever, and a decaying carcass on a restricted holding is both a disease risk and a welfare concern. Store any fallen animal in a sealed, leak-proof container away from the live herd and on hardstanding, and arrange prompt collection so the carcass does not become a focus for vermin and scavengers that move between fields and farms.
Documentation Matters Even More During a Breakdown
Record keeping during a TB breakdown is scrutinised closely, and every fallen stock collection we make is documented with a Commercial Document recording the animal’s movement to an approved facility. Keeping these records alongside your testing and movement paperwork builds a clean, defensible picture of how the breakdown was managed, which matters when restrictions are lifted and your records are reviewed.
Serving Cattle Country Across the Region
The dairy and beef belts of Cheshire and the wider North West carry a high cattle density and feel TB pressure keenly. Farmers can read about our county-wide Cheshire fallen stock collection coverage, and those around the south Cheshire dairy heartland can see our local Crewe fallen stock collection service. Our rapid-response fleet means a fallen animal does not sit on a restricted holding longer than it has to.
Planning Ahead Before a Breakdown Happens
The worst time to start looking for a fallen stock collector is in the middle of a breakdown, when restrictions are already biting and stress is high. The farmers who cope best are those who already have a standing arrangement with a licensed collector and a clear on-farm procedure for isolating and storing any animal that dies. Putting that in place during normal trading, rather than scrambling under restriction, means one less problem to solve when a breakdown is confirmed and your attention is needed on testing, isolation and the conversations with your vet and APHA.
Support When You Need It
A TB breakdown is hard enough without uncertainty over fallen stock disposal, and a reliable licensed collector takes one worry off your list. To arrange prompt, documented collection during a breakdown or to set up a standing arrangement, call Martlands on 01704 776977 and we will work around your restrictions and your vet’s guidance.
