Scottish BVD Eradication Scheme: guidance

History of Scotland’s BVD eradication scheme

Phase 1: subsidised screening

Stage one ran from September 2010 to April 2011. The Scottish Government provided £36 towards testing for BVD for each herd, and a further £72 towards further testing or veterinary advice if the result was positive. Around 4,000 herds took advantage, at a cost of £180,000.

Phase 2: mandatory annual screening

All keepers of breeding cattle herds were required to screen their herds for BVD by 1 February 2013, and annually thereafter. A range of testing methods is available. Also, where there are calves born in non-breeding herds, they must be tested within 40 days.

Phase 3: control measures (reducing the spread of infection)

In 2012, the Scottish Government consulted on proposals to introduce control measures, including movement restrictions. These control measures came in to force in January 2014, and include:

• a ban on knowingly selling/moving cattle infected with BVDV
• requiring the herd's BVD status to be declared before sale
• restrictions on untested herds/animals

Phase 4: enhanced testing and further movement restrictions

Controls introduced on 1 June 2015 include:

• movement restrictions on 'Not Negative' herds
• a reduction in the number of testing options available
• the requirement to test replacement animals from untested herds
• assumed negative status for dams of calves which have tested negative

Phase 5: protect Negative herds at all costs

Controls introduced on 1 December 2019 include:

Movement restrictions on ‘Positive’ herds

• introduction of the PI locator
• introduction of the Compulsory BVD Investigation for herds that have been Not Negative continuously for 15 months
• requirement to test high risk animals before they leave breeding herds
• if BVD positive animals are re-tested, the sample must be taken by a vet
• when tissue tagging calves under 20 days old, the sample must be taken using the official ID tag