Farmers will be required to test older cows and bulls for BVD under new legislation just signed by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.

The legislation targets cattle born before 2013 – when tissue-testing of calves began – and which remain untested.

Cows that were not tested themselves but have had a calf tested do not need to be tested now

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Animal Health Ireland estimates there are approximately 3,000 such cattle in about 1,600 herds. The majority are breeding bulls, the remainder cows. Cows that were not tested themselves but have had a calf tested do not need to be tested now. The Department will write to these herd owners identifying any cattle that need to be tested.