The Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) has warned that restrictions are coming for herds with significant numbers of cattle untested for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD).
From June, these restrictions will initially be applied if there are 20 or more animals more than 30 days-of-age present in the herd that have not had a BVD test.
Any associated herds will also be restricted, and all inward and outward movements will be affected, apart from movements directly to slaughter or for disposal.
BVD
AHWNI said that animals that have not been tested for the viral disease pose an infection risk to other cattle as some of them may be infected with the virus.
From December 1, 2025, the threshold for the application of restrictions will be reduced to 10 or more untested animals, and after a further six months the threshold is to drop to 5 or more untested animals.
Cattle born before March 1, 2016 (the start of the compulsory programme) that have not been tested or had a BVD negative calf registered against them also have a ‘BVD Unknown (BVDU)’ status and need to be tested.
“These ‘older’ cattle will contribute to the BVDU count on which the application of restrictions will be based.
“Any dam that has had a test negative calf automatically gains a negative status and does not need to be directly tested,” AHWNI added.
Restrictions on herds with BVDU animals will be lifted immediately on confirmation of a negative BVD result for all cattle more than 30 days old.
Cattle with a BVDU status are restricted individually from moving to markets, other farms and abattoirs.
AHWNI
AHWNI is recommending that farmers take steps to protect their herds and avoid BVD restrictions being imposed, by taking action to keep the virus out in the first instance, by ensuring that all calves are tested promptly and by testing all BVDU status cattle
Currently, restrictions are applied to herds that have retained BVD positive or inconclusive cattle for more than 7 days from disclosure.
“Since the introduction of herd restrictions in February, there has been a marked decrease in retention levels, and this decrease is lowering the risk of virus transmission to other cattle.
“Critically, this is happening at a time when we are approaching one of the peak periods of susceptibility of pregnant stock.
“The benefits of these measures will be seen in the next calving season and will help industry progress towards its aim of eradication of the BVD virus in NI,” AHWNI said.
