As the breeding season approaches, The Department is concerned that animals persistently infected (PI) with BVD virus pose a serious risk for the creation of further PI calves on the farms where they are being retained and on neighbouring farms and will retard progress of the national BVD eradication programme.  In view of this, the Department intends to invoke Section 10 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides that the Department may publish the fact that an animal is affected with a disease and the location of the holding where the infected animal is kept.

The Department is issuing  these notifications to  allow neighbouring farms to review their biosecurity generally and to take measures to protect their herds, including ensuring that boundaries are adequate to prevent nose to nose contact and grazing management (particularly of breeding animals) to minimize the likelihood of contact.

The Department encourages farmers who have not yet disposed of PI calves to do so immediately. Otherwise, the Department will, in the context of supporting the objectives of the national programme,   give consideration to restricting movement of animals from these herds.

For details of the financial supports provided by The Department for the removal of PI animals, see http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/pressreleases/2015/january/title,80436,en.html.

View Press Release as a PDF:DAFMPR 62/2015 (pdf 400Kb) ‌

Date Released: 15 April 2015