What is BVD?
BVD is a viral infection of cattle and is widespread across Wales and the UK. It is an “immuno-suppressive” disease, meaning infected animals become more likely to develop other health conditions. It can also cause abortions and infertility. BVD also impacts an animal’s productive capacity and can cause a loss of milk yield and reduced appetite. Welsh Government estimate that the annual costs of BVD presence to a 100-cow beef farm is £4,500 and for a 130-cow dairy farm, £15,000 a year.
How is it spread?
BVD is spread by animals who are “Persistently Infected” (PI) with the virus. A PI animal will become infected in the uterus during the early stages of pregnancy and although it may appear healthy, it will remain infected its whole life and will spread the disease to others in the herd. Animals that are infected by the PI animal through for example nose to nose contact, will not become PIs themselves, but will exhibit symptoms of the disease.
Voluntary screening service
Since 2017 Gwaredu BVD has operated a voluntary BVD screening service for Welsh cattle keepers, funded by the Welsh Government through the RDP. Since its inception more than 80% of Welsh cattle herds have been screened, with 28% of those testing positive for the virus. However, RDP funding will no longer be available from 1 January 2023 marking the end of the voluntary BVD scheme.
The consultation
This consultation signaled Welsh Government’s intention to replace the voluntary BVD scheme with a compulsory scheme. The scheme will require all cattle keepers to undergo annual BVD screening and the results will determine the 'Herd Status'. Herds with negative BVD status will maintain this status for 12 months and no restrictions will apply to their cattle movements. For herds that test positive for BVD antibodies, indicating disease is or has been present, movements will be restricted and a whole herd test will be required. Depending on the results, additional testing may be required - known as a “PI hunt” - to try and identify which animals are the root cause of infection.
NFU Cymru has been supportive of the voluntary BVD scheme and the union has been a member of the scheme’s steering group.