From 1 March, all newborn calves in NI, including still births and abortions, must be tissue-tagged and tested for BVD, with any calves identified as Persistently Infected (PI) not permitted to move to other herds or livestock marts.

The scheme is being administered by industry body Animal Health and Welfare NI (AHWNI). Approximately 4,500 herds have taken part in the voluntary phase of the BVD eradication scheme that opened in January 2013.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme in Stormont on Tuesday, minister for agriculture Michelle O’Neill said that the AHWNI has had time to make operational arrangements for the beginning of the scheme for all herds in NI.

“This is, I hope, an early example of fruitful partnership between my Department and industry. For the first time industry here, through AHWNI, will lead in the implementation of the legislation relating to a production disease,” she said.

Cost concerns

Minister O’Neill said she was aware some farmers had concerns about the cost of tissue tags and also about removing PI calves from their herds.

Quoting figures from an independent study carried out by the Scotland Rural College, she said: “There is strong evidence to indicate that the financial gains which can be made by herd keepers through eradicating BVD can outweigh the initial costs by a ratio of 10 to one.”