New legislation in Wales is being introduced this summer to eradicate BVD. BVD is a widespread viral disease affecting cattle, which can lead to abortion, infertility, deformed calves, and compromised herd health and welfare, particularly among youngstock. Infected herds often experience increased cases of calf pneumonia and scours.
From 1st July 2024, cattle keepers will be required to:
- Screen herds each year by testing a small number of cattle
- Isolate persistently infected animals from the rest of the herd from the remainder of their lives.
- Cattle farmers will have until 1st July 2025 to complete the annual herd test.
The new legislation follows the success of the Gwaredu Bovine Viral Diarrhoea screening programme. Gwaredu BVD identified that 27% of farms screened BVD positive in 2018. In 2022, this reduced to 23%, meaning 77% of tested farms are now BVD free.
The requirements form part of the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (Wales) Order 2024, which has been developed in collaboration between cattle sector representatives and the Welsh government.