NI launches five-step new year’s resolution for BVD control

A five-step plan from Northern Ireland’s animal health leaders has reminded farmers of best practice for disease control to eradicate a costly cattle virus.

A stakeholder engagement plan for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) has been released by Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) seven years after BVD tag and testing of calves was made compulsory.  

The plan aligns industry actions with conditions for BVD eradication as set out in EU animal health law, said AHWNI.

See also: Compulsory BVD scheme proposed for Wales

The five steps are:

1. Isolate and cull BVD-positive cattle at the earliest opportunity

Consider immediate culling of BVD-positive cattle, particularly if BVD has been confirmed in your herd within the past two years. If a decision is taken to retest, arrange for your vet to take blood samples three weeks after the initial sample (either ear tag or blood sample date).

2. Take ear tissue tag samples from calves as soon as possible after birth

In line with veterinary advice, ear tissue tag testing continues to be a compulsory requirement and is likely to continue until eradication is achieved. Submit samples promptly.

3. Review biosecurity

Reduce the risk of selling BVD-infected cattle

Wait at least three weeks after the last BVD-positive animal has been culled before selling cattle. This includes any female that may have been in calf at the time of the birth of the positive, until her calf has been born and has returned a negative BVD test

Aim to purchase cattle from herds that have been BVD-free for two years

Ask when BVD has been present in herds to reduce the risk of buying transiently infected stock or a “Trojan” female that could be carrying a BVD persistently infected calf. Purchasing cattle from BVD-free herds will help your herd to gain BVD-free status.

Keep cattle away from neighbouring herds

Only graze neighbouring adjacent fields if there is double fencing (3m gap) or stock-proof hedging to minimise transmission of infectious agents.

4. Test cattle that have no BVD status to complete your herd profile

Sample and test cattle with no results – for example, imported animals without a valid BVD test or those born before the start of the compulsory scheme (1 March 2016). 

5. Be aware of industry measures to control BVD

The voluntary abattoir ban on the slaughter of BVD-positive cattle remains in force and retention of BVD-positive cattle remains a non-conformance in the Farm Quality Assurance Scheme.