Tender for the Supply of DNA Ear Tags and Applicators for use on TB Reactor Cattle

Descriptions

Defra is responsible for policy and regulations on the environment, food and rural affairs, including the eradication of Tuberculosis (TB) in cattle. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of Defra and acts in a regulatory capacity and is tasked with delivery of all the policy requirements including TB testing. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one of the most challenging endemic animal health problems currently facing the farming industry in Great Britain. To continue to minimise the risk of non-compliant behaviour, unnecessary testing and fraudulent claims, DNA tags are used to positively identify reactors as part of the TB test. This provides a robust assurance that cattle identified as reacting positively to the TB skin test are removed from holdings and compulsorily slaughtered as is required by legislation. The appointed Contractor shall supply a tissue sampling ear tag and a means to apply the ear tag to a bovine animal, which through its application provides a tissue sample in an individual, self-sealing capsule. The tissue sample will be stored by APHA for up to three months and the tissue sample may be compared with other samples as required. The ear tag and applicator shall conform to the British Standards Institute (BSI) Publicly Available Specification (PAS) - specifically known as PAS 44:2009.