The deadline of 1 May is fast approaching when beef processors in NI will no longer accept animals persistently infected (PI) with BVD into their premises for slaughter.

As part of an agreement reached in February, after intense lobbying by the Ulster Farmers’ Union, local meat plants will accept PI animals as normal up to 30 April. The only requirement is that the animal must be at least 12 months of age.

For younger animals, they should be humanely destroyed and taken to either Linergy or Foyle Proteins. Both companies have offered to take one-third off normal disposal charges for these PI animals if delivered before the 1 May deadline.

However, from 1 May onwards, there is no commercial outlet for PI cattle. They cannot be moved off farm and cannot go for slaughter. They will have to be destroyed and disposed of by rendering at the herdkeeper’s expense.

On enquiry, Sam Strain from Animal Health and Welfare NI confirmed that there are approximately 400 PI animals still on farm in NI, aged over 12 months.

“Herdowners with BVD positive animals should dispose of these animals as soon as practicable” he said.

It is understood that in the weeks following the announcement of the ban, the number of PI animals coming through for slaughter was relatively slow. It is hoped that farmers have held on towards the end of April to try to get some condition onto these animals before slaughter.