Scotland’s efforts to eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea from its cattle herd will be ramped up from May 18, after which date all animals identified as being persistently infected must be housed separately.

Latest figures show that under Phase Five of the Scottish BVD scheme, significant progress is being made towards eradicating the disease from Scottish cattle. Across 10,691 holdings, 535,000 cattle in Scotland are being tested and screened for BVD.

At present, it is thought that 48 Scottish holdings currently retain 122 persistently infected cattle and, if these animals continue to remain on farm, their owners will be required to meet the new rules on separate housing, away from the rest of the herd.

In the interests of animal welfare, those choosing to retain high risk animals may be allowed to house a low risk non-PI animal with them. Otherwise, good biosecurity must be practiced between the PI animals and the rest of the herd, with proper cleaning and disinfection of outerwear and equipment between the different groups.

Although inspections are currently suspended due to Covid-19, those herds retaining PI animals will be subjected to unannounced visits from APHA in the future to ensure that suitable isolation facilities and protocols are place.

NFUS animal health policy manager Penny Middleton said: “Persistently infected animals are the biggest cause of spreading BVD and best practice involves removing them from a herd as soon as they are identified.

“Where herds choose to retain these high-risk animals, then housing and isolation can prevent further spread of infection within the herd, but more importantly can help protect neighbouring herds from infection.

“Many of those neighbours will have invested significant time and money in BVD eradication plans that risk being undone through any contact with PI animals," said Ms Middleton.

The new rules, she added, should not only serve to protect the national herd against further infection, but act as a deterrent against farmers keeping PI animals at all.