Unannounced inspections to check that Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) positive animals are being isolated will soon start, the NI government has confirmed.
January 21, 2021 2:56 pm
New, unannounced inspections to check that bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) positive animals are being isolated are set to begin in Northern Ireland over the next few weeks.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) announced herds which retain a BVD-positive animal will be visited by DAERA inspectors to confirm compliance with the 2016 BVD Order.
The order requires isolation “within housing to prevent direct or indirect contact with other susceptible animals”.
Herd keepers who have not isolated BVD-positive animals may be prosecuted and, if convicted, may be fined up to £5,000 for a single animal, or up to £1,000/animal if more than five animals are involved.
December 15, 2020 11:36 am
Eradicating BVD is within reach for Northern Ireland – but the final push will need everyone committed to the cause, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has said.
It comes as Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) announced that the number of herds retaining BVD Positive cattle for more than five weeks has dropped
below 100 for the first time.
UFU deputy president William Irvine said: “The figures from AHWNI are testament to the ongoing focus that farmers and industry stakeholders are putting on eradicating this disease.
“However, it is important that farmers continue playing their part in stamping out the virus. I encourage farmers to tag calves as soon as possible after birth and send the samples away, adhering to guidance by AHWNI.
The number of herds retaining BVD Positive cattle for more than 5 weeks has dropped below 100 for the first time in the history of the NI BVD Programme.