The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says farmers are to be commended for their efforts to reduce Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) as the number of living positive animals in Northern Ireland (NI) is at its lowest since the scheme began in March 2016. Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) released the figures recently, highlighting that the livestock industry is moving in the right direction.
UFU deputy president John McLenaghan said, “The figures from AHWNI are testament to the ongoing focus that farmers and industry stakeholders are putting on eradicating BVD in NI. Currently only a small number of BVD positives are being retained on-farm for more than four weeks. The vast majority of affected farmers are making responsible decisions to cull persistently infected animals promptly which reduces the risk of spreading BVD, helping us move closer to eradicating the disease.
“The UFU are fully supportive of all measures that will help us in our efforts as we work towards eradicating BVD as quickly and effectively as possible. This includes DAERA’s consultation proposal of herd restrictions for herd owners who are not fully engaged in the testing regime or in dealing with infection in their herds. The UFU are aware that further steps in addition to herd restrictions are essential to achieve eradication in the near future, for the benefit of the livestock industry and farmers who continue to bear the costs of the BVD control programme. The UFU has been a key stakeholder in lobbying DAERA for additional measures to drive BVD eradication in NI and we now are at a critical time as we eagerly await the publication of consultation responses.”
