Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) - phase 6: consultation questions

Introduction

Since 2010, the Scottish Government has been working with industry, veterinary practitioners and scientific partners to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in Scotland. Our joint BVD Advisory Group has been working to eradicate BVD in Scotland in a way that suits the distinctive nature of Scottish farming.

BVD is one of the most important cattle diseases for economics, productivity and welfare. Eradicating BVD will help meet Scotland’s commitment to a Fairer Scotland and Net Zero by making Scotland’s cattle businesses more profitable and sustainable. Scottish Government analysis has shown that by eradicating BVD the average Scottish farm benefits by £2,000 - £14,000 annually (£20 - £70 per cow per year) depending on farm type^[1]. By avoiding the need to treat both persistently and transiently infected animals we also reduce our reliance on antibiotics and aid the global effort to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Since Scotland’s BVD eradication scheme was introduced in 2010, the level of BVD exposure in Scottish breeding herds has reduced from 40% to 9%^[2]. This is due to the great efforts of cattle keepers and their vets to test, identify and remove sources of BVD infection in the Scottish breeding herd.

To move Scotland closer to BVD eradication, the BVD Advisory Group have agreed that we should introduce new measures in to the scheme. These include updating how Check Tests are carried out, bolstering the Compulsory BVD Investigation and increasing obligations for non-breeding herds.

We welcome your views on these proposals.

This consultation will run from 15 November 2023 to 7 February 2024.