Ending bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) testing now would lead to a gradual increase in prevalence again, a spokesperson for Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has said, adding that “the goal of the programme remains full eradication”.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) animal health chair Hugh Farrell said it’s time to end compulsory BVD testing: “Farmers won’t put up with never-ending testing, the expense is something that can’t be sustained by low-income farmers any longer,” he said. Over 1.3m calves have been tested so far this year, with PI calves detected in fewer than 200 herds to-date.

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Time is right to end compulsory BVD testing – ICSA