BVD movement restrictions to start in Northern Ireland
© Tim Scrivener Farmers in Northern Ireland are being reminded of the impending movement restrictions for breeding‑age females in herds where bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has been confirmed.
The new measures come into force on Sunday (1 March) and apply to all females at least 12 months old in affected herds.
This, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said, will address the significant risk posed by so‑called “trojan” animals – pregnant females exposed to BVD during gestation whose calves may be born persistently infected with BVD virus.
See also: NI tightens BVD rules from December
Northern Ireland farming minister Andrew Muir said: “The introduction of ‘trojan’ restrictions marks another essential step towards eliminating BVD from Northern Ireland.”
Mr Muir added that the movement of pregnant females that may be carrying BVD-infected calves is a hidden source of disease spread and one of the most difficult to control.
“These new rules directly target that risk,” he said.
New controls
The new controls form part of the phased implementation of the BVD Control Order (NI) 2024 and represent the next step in strengthening Northern Ireland’s BVD eradication programme.
Breeding‑age females in herds with a BVD-positive animal will be prohibited from moving from the herd for up to 41 weeks following removal of the last BVD positive animal.
Restrictions will remain in place until the female has calved, and its calf has tested negative for BVD.
They may be lifted earlier if certain blood tests are carried out.
Exceptions
Restricted females will be prohibited from moving from the herd.
However, movements will be allowed to slaughter for BVD-tested animals, for disposal of the animal as an animal by-product and, exceptionally, under a licence issued by Daera.
Further details on how the measures will be applied are available on the Daera website.