Southland farmers might be asked to take part in a voluntary testing regime to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis, Environment Southland chief executive Ciaran Keogh says.
A code of practice would see cows tested within three months of being imported from a high-risk area to the region, regardless of whether they went into a Tb control area, or to an area that was under surveillance, Mr Keogh told the Otago Daily Times.
The proposal would be developed by the Animal Health Board and the dairy industry.
It would target dairy cows because they were most often moved around the region and had longer productive lives, Mr Keogh said.
"It will be voluntary. We'd prefer it was mandatory, but the fact is that it will make sense for those who import cows to take part to ensure the health of their herds," Mr Keogh said.
Tb-Free Southland Committee chairman Mike O'Brien said the idea would have to be considered alongside the seasonal needs of a herd.
Tb testing could not occur during calving, but would have to happen before stock was moved on the annual Gypsy Day.
"It would have to happen within a year and before being moved from the property. There are many proposals. They have to be workable."
Mr Keogh described the move as his council stepped back from claims two southern dairy herds were confirmed with Tb after "cheap" cows were imported from the West Coast.
The regional council recently issued a statement saying it was on the same side as the region's Tb-Free Committee in pushing for stronger post-movement controls on stock.
Mr Keogh said he regretted the organisations seemed at odds last month, after councillors slated the import of cattle from the West Coast and claimed more than one southern cow was confirmed as having Tb.
At the time, the Animal Health Board told the Otago Daily Times a cow at Seaward Downs had Tb.
A spokesman as since confirmed another herd, where cattle reacted positively to a post-movement test, was infection-free.
Mr Keogh said it was clear the council and the Tb-Free Committee wanted stringent Tb controls.
They would ask the AHB to impose post-movement testing across the whole region, at least for stock coming from areas worst affected by Tb.
Southland was declared Tb-free in 2008.
The Seaward Downs cow was the first confirmed case of the disease in the region since then.