On the 1st of July 2024 the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) (Wales) Order 2024 was introduced in order to eradicate BVD from the Welsh cattle herd.
BVD is a viral infection of cattle causes a variety of health issues such as:
Weakening of the immune system, leaving cattle more susceptible to other infections such as Salmonellosis, respiratory infections and coccidiosis.
Scours and pneumonia in calves due to immunosuppression.
Reproductive problems, including failure to conceive (infertility),early embryonic death, abortion and birth defects.
Cattle infected by BVD during the first four months of pregnancy give birth to calves that are born “Persistently Infected” (PI) with the virus. These PI calves may present to be clinically normal but are likely to be susceptible to diarrhoea, ulceration of mouth and feet and mucosal disease that is fatal.
Unfortunately, PI calves can not recover from the virus and are deemed super spreaders of the BVD within herds.
From 1st July 2024 cattle keepers will be required to:-
- Screen their herds for BVD annually
- Isolate Persistently Infected (PI) animals from the rest of the herd for the remainder of their lives
Cattle keepers will have until 1st July 2025 to complete their annual herd test. If any PI animals are identified they will be restricted on farm for the remainder of their lives.
Further information:
https://www.gov.wales/welsh-bovine-viral-diarrhoea-eradication-scheme-guidance-html