This autumn, Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHECS ) is introducing an additional level of Johne’s Disease Risk-Level Certification – RL1*.
The new Risk Level 1* will be awarded to RL1 herds which have a negative blood test for Johne’s Disease. Risk Level 1 herds containing animals that have a blood positive test for Johne’s, that are subsequently faecal negative, will not qualify for RL1* status.
Risk Level 1* status will also be accompanied by the number of consecutive years in brackets that herd has held the RL1* status. So, for a herd that has had no animal testing blood positive for four years, its classification will be RL1*(4 years).
“The additional risk level has been introduced to help farmers and those buying stock make the most informed decision possible, at the point of purchase, about the Johne’s Disease risk associated with a herd and individual animal,” explains Tim Brigstocke, CHECS Executive Director. “We’ve listened to the concerns of vets, breeders and the industry on this and introduced this new level as a result.
“Control of Johne’s Disease is of crucial importance to animal health and welfare, farm efficiency and sustainability, and it’s increasingly important to customers and consumers. We cannot ignore the effect it has on the long-term viability of our herds and also their environmental impact. Ultimately, infected herds will be less efficient, with animals that do not thrive, increasing the carbon footprint of the milk or beef produced.”
“As we know, control is not a straightforward process but it’s one in which data plays a huge part. The introduction of this new risk level will provide those involved in buying in stock with more information to help them reduce the risk of bringing Johne’s Disease into their herd.”
The recommendation to add this additional risk level classification status was made by the CHECS Technical Advisory Group (TAG), following the universal agreement of the proposal by every member of the group, after careful consideration and deliberation of the latest scientific research available. The recommendation was put to the CHECS Board who has approved its introduction.
“It is highly likely, due to the high specificity of the serological tests used, that animals that test blood positive are infected with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the cause of Johne’s Disease,” says Keith Cutler, Veterinary Director of CHECS and chair of TAG. “Faecal testing remains relevant to try to define whether an animal with a positive blood test is shedding MAP in its faeces and to guide the management of that animal within the herd. But retaining this animal in a herd, irrespective of a negative faecal test result, is a high-risk strategy.”
In order to give all herds the opportunity to carry out testing to achieve the star (whilst making sure there is no advantage by being able to publish this before others have reached their testing date), the following process will apply: For any participants in the scheme whose herd test results show no seropositive animals for the year starting 1 October 2024, these results will count towards RL1* accreditation, but that RL1* herd status will not be published on certificates and pen cards until 1 October 2025.
The CHECS TAG will continue to review any relevant published scientific literature on faecal MAP testing methods and performance on an on-going basis with a view to ensuring that the CHECS Technical Document and the route by which an RL1 herd might gain RL1* status reflects the most up-to-date scientific knowledge.
