BVD Changes: What you need to know
As the Phase 2 of the BVD legislation comes into force on the 1st of July 2026, FUW Policy Officer, Elin Jenkins provides a summary of what you need to know about eradicating BVD in Wales.
Background
BVD infection causes multiple health issues in cattle which include abortion, infertility and birth defects but also increases an animal's susceptibility in succumbing to other diseases. All in all, BVD infection in a herd equates to thousands of pounds in costs and reduced performance for businesses, which has led the desire to eradicate BVD from Welsh herds once and for all.
Although the historic Welsh BVD eradication scheme (GwareduBVD) was well supported, frustrations with the lack of enforcement in responsibly managing persistently infected animals were evident. Following consultation with members in 2022, the FUW supported the need for legislation to progress with BVD eradication.
Phase 1 commenced on the 1st of July 2025, which saw the introduction of The Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (Wales) Order 2024. This Phase mandated the annual screening of cattle herds in Wales and the provision to isolate all persistently infected animals from the rest of the herd and for the remainder of their lives.
Phase 2 : 1st July 2026
The second phase of legislation that comes into force on the 1st of July 2026 imposes stricter implications on herds that have either not got a BVD herd status or are ‘non-negative’ status.
Herd Status
BVD Negative Status: Given to a holding when an annual screen of a select number of youngstock returns a negative antibody test.
BVD Not-Negative Status: Given to a holding when an annual screen of a selected number of youngstock returns a positive antibody test, BVD is diagnosed by other means OR a holding’s annual screen has expired.
Unknown BVD Status: Given to a herd that has not conducted an annual screening.
For herds with a Negative Herd Status, there will be little change, only the existing requirement to uphold an BVD annual screening regime of the herd.
However, a herd with a Not-Negative or Unknown BVD Status will be required to arrange a vet to conduct a BVD antigen test on any cattle they wish to move off the holding (unless moving directly to slaughter). A negative ‘Post Movement Test’ will be valid for 60 days.
For cross border, or more specifically movements of cattle into Wales with an unknown BVD status, animals will have to be antigen tested within 20 days of arrival in Wales. This test can be done via the ‘Tag and Test’ method, by the farmer.
Coinciding with the introduction of the second phase was the launch of a BVDCymru test result database, which is accessible and managed through the EIDCymru platform. Members will have to register as cattle keepers on EIDCymru in order to view their herd and individual animal BVD test results. If you do not have digital access, then your vet will be able to notify you of your test results.
Industry collaboration through the work of BVDCymru Steering Group have brought forward amendments to BVD Legislation, however, as the roll out of Phase 2 beds down, it is important that you continue to communicate any issues or barriers with the FUW to influence future evolution of the programme.
Royal Welsh Show
The FUW will be joined by a panel of BVD experts at the Royal Welsh Show for a seminar focused on the efforts to eradicate BVD in Wales. If you do have any queries or questions you’d like to put forward to the panel for discussion regarding BVD legislation, please submit them via this form.
Further information can be found at BVDCymru.wales or contact BVDCymru on 01554 748 576
