Almost three months into the next phase, the data shows that 55% of herds in Wales have a negative herd status and over 70% of cattle herds in Wales have antibody screened to find out their status.
We’ve also seen over 110 PI hunts – the process of looking for persistently infected animals that spread the disease on farm – take place, showing industry is taking a proactive approach to weeding out disease.
As we move into autumn and there is an increase in cattle movements, NFU Cymru is encouraging any keepers who do not yet know their BVD status to talk to their vet about screening.
All cattle moving should have either a herd status or an individual status, for example obtained through tag and test. If your herd status is negative, it means BVD is not present on your holding, so you are free to trade as normal.
BVD explained
If your status is non-negative, there is no penalty, but it means that animals on your farm have been exposed to the virus.
As a result, further work is needed in consultation with your vet, to identify what is going on and the action that needs to be taken.
Gains to be made
BVD is a viral disease of cattle that suppresses the immune system, as a result it can impact fertility and significantly impact both herd health and productivity, so there are gains to be made by eradicating it from the herd.
Whilst your status is non-negative, movement restrictions apply to the herd and to move animals off you are required to have a negative BVD pre-movement test which can be conducted by the vet and is valid for 60 days.
If you find yourself in this position, we suggest speaking to your vet to align the BVD test with the same visit as the pre-movement TB test.
Alternatively, cattle from non-negative herds can move without a pre-movement test under General License to Approved Finishing Units (AFUs), TB exempt markets and orange markets.
What NFU Cymru are doing
NFU Cymru is part of the BVDCymru Steering Group which brings the cattle industry and Welsh Government together to oversee the implementation of the scheme.
Given the eradication scheme is still relatively new we expect teething problems, so we continue to use our seat on the steering group to push for pragmatic rules which support Welsh cattle industry whilst reducing the risk of disease transmission.
In particular, we continue to push for tag and test to be recognised as a method for herd screening, knowing many farmers have long adopted this approach to deal with BVD.
Further guidance on BVD can be found on the Welsh Government website and the BVDCymru website.
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