Bovine Viral Diarrhoea eradication scheme: consultation on phase five

Introduction

The Scottish Government, together with industry, veterinary practitioners and scientific partners, is committed to eradicating bovine viral diarrhoea ( BVD) from Scotland. We have been working together through the BVD Advisory Group to ensure we achieve the ambition of eradicating BVD in an efficient way that suits the distinctive nature of Scottish farming.

BVD eradication will make Scotland's cattle businesses more profitable and sustainable. In 2010 Scottish Government economists' analysis showed that, once BVD was eradicated from the herd, the average dairy herd could save £15,800 per year, the average beef herd £4,800 ^[1] . BVD eradication also has a role to play in the global effort against antimicrobial resistance: avoiding the need to treat PIs and transiently affected animals will reduce the use of antibiotics, thereby reducing the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance.

Since the introduction of Scotland's BVD eradication scheme, we have seen the level of exposure drop from 40% to 10% of breeding herds. The reduction is due to great efforts on the part of cattle keepers and their vets to test the Scottish breeding herd, identify sources of BVD infection and remove them.

To progress the scheme to a satisfactory conclusion, the BVD Advisory Group have agreed that there should be further restrictions on "not negative" herds to prevent disease from spreading in the Scottish national herd. These further restrictions will particularly focus on keepers who choose to retain Persistently Infected ( PI) animals or do not investigate the cause of their "not negative" status.

We welcome views on these proposals.

This consultation will run from 21 August 2017 to 6 November 2017.