BVD eradication scheme phase 5 - December 2019: guidance

2. Key Points

For Breeding herds

Continue to test your herd annually using one of the approved testing methods (see section 4):

By tissue tagging or blood sample:

• test all calves born for BVD virus, or
• test all animals in the herd for BVD virus, or

By blood test only:

• check test - work with your vet to blood sample representative young stock from each separately managed group, to see if the herd has been exposed to BVD (see section 4).

Beef herds must be check tested once a year, dairy herds twice a year (if they calve all year round).

BVD virus positive animals can only go directly to slaughter.

Animals in a herd with a BVD Not Negative status must have an individual BVD Negative or Assumed Negative status to leave the herd, unless going direct to slaughter.

Animals considered 'risky' must be BVD virus tested within 40 days of joining the herd (these include imported cattle from outwith Scotland, untested animals purchased from non-breeding herds and untested animals from a BVD Not Negative herd)

New - When tissue tagging under 20 days, an official tag must be used

New - Herds that have been continuously BVD Not Negative for more than 15 months must complete a Compulsory BVD Investigation

New - BVD Positive holdings have further movement restrictions

New - Retesting of PIs must be carried out by a vet

New - Animals considered "risky" must have a BVD negative status before they move out of a breeding herd.

For Non-breeding herds

Calves born into the herd must be tested for BVD virus before 40 days of age and must have an individual status of BVD Negative before leaving the herd.