Implementation of Policy on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD)

Overview

BVD virus causes a complex of diseases in cattle, the most important of which can interfere with reproduction, affect the unborn calf and ultimately lead to fatal mucosal disease. BVD virus can also cause enteritis during transient infection, which is usually mild but is occasionally severe enough to cause death, even in adult cattle. Transient BVD virus infection is also associated with significant suppression of disease resistance, contributing to outbreaks of other disease such as pneumonia or scours.

Benefits of BVD control and eradication

• Reduced livestock costs – improved fertility, less sick animals to treat, better growth
• Improved animal welfare – less illness particularly scours and calf pneumonia
• Reduced use of antibiotics – less sick animals to treat
• Reduced emission of greenhouse gases – more efficient production

Why your views matter

The Department now wishes to consult on the following proposals for the next phase of the scheme to progress further towards eradication that would aim to:

• Reduce the level of infection in the National Herd further by requiring removal persistently infected animals
• Reduce the risk of spread within the National herd further by requiring additional movement restrictions and increased biosecurity
• Reduce the risk of importing the disease by requiring further controls on importing animals
• Increasing the value of test results by broadening scope and shortening time

What happens next

We will provide a summary of the consultation responses by the end of January 2018.