Following the success of the Gwaredu Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) screening programme, which was supported by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) amongst other industry partners, the Welsh Government has announced new legislation to aid the eradication of BVD in cattle.

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BVD is a disease caused by a virus that induces immunosuppression and reproductive failure in cattle and is maintained in herds due to the presence of Persistently Infected (PI) animals. It can result in abortion, infertility, deformed calves, increased cases of calf pneumonia and poor herd health, making it a significant issue for herd health and farmers’ livelihoods. However, eradicating BVD in an area can ensure improved animal health and welfare, and improve the productivity and profitability of farms, whilst reducing their carbon footprint.

Behavioural change

To begin progress towards eradicating BVD in Wales, the Gwaredu BVD’s Youngstock Screening programme worked in partnership with the farming industry to encourage positive behavioural change. To achieve this, the programme offered free BVD screening to determine their BVD status, and Herd Health Advice to raise awareness of BVD amongst farmers and vets and support all cattle farms in Wales to identify PI animals.

Gwaredu BVD is managed through a partnership between the RVC and Coleg Sir Gâr’s Agriculture Research Centre. The RVC’s Dr Neil Paton, Lecturer in Farm Animal Production, has worked as the Technical Director of the Gwaedu BVD providing veterinary guidance and advice on BVD eradication.

Successful project

From September 2017 to December 2022, the programme screened 85 per cent (9,369) of cattle farms in Wales. The programme conducted more than 29,000 screenings in total and issued 19,282 BVD status certificates to these farms, helping increase awareness of BVD and promoting informed purchasing decisions. Overall, Gwaredu BVD identified that 27 per cent of farms screened BVD positive in 2018. In 2022, this reduced to 23 per cent, meaning 77 per cent of farms are now BVD free.

Following the success of the programme and a subsequent consultation with the farming industry, the Welsh Government has now introduced new legislation to come into effect from 1st July 2024 which will make BVD screening mandatory and work towards the eradication of BVD in Wales.

Neil Paton, Lecturer in Farm Animal Health and Production at the RVC and Technical Director of the Gwaredu BVC programme, said: “Eradicating BVD from farms and the national herd of Wales will have significant positive benefits for animal health and welfare. I am immensely proud of the significant contributions the RVC have made towards supporting BVD control in the UK, from Professor Joe Brownlie’s work through to the enactment of BVD legislation in Wales.”

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