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Bovine viral diarrhoea in cattle: an update
Abstract
Gwaredu BVD is the industry led voluntary programme to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in Wales. This uses check testing to find BVD positive farms and a variety of methods to eradicate the virus on farm. Biosecurity is advised as a follow up to protect the farms. This article discusses why the industry chose to eradicate BVD and why check testing was used. The progress to date, future plans and anticipated challenges are outlined.
Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) was recognised as a priority disease by the Welsh Government in their Animal Health and Welfare framework group implementation plan in 2013. As a result, Gwaredu BVD was established as a voluntary scheme to deliver the Welsh BVD eradication programme. It is an industry-led programme dedicated to supporting farmers.
The decision to make BVD a priority disease was significantly influenced by the efforts of Scotland and Ireland in eradicating BVD from their national herds. The Welsh BVD eradication programme has benefited enormously from the lessons learned and the sharing of knowledge.
Eradicating BVD has many benefits for cattle industries. These range from removing financial restrictions to increasing farm profitability. The reduction in disease burden accounts for this, and improves health and welfare. This improvement in health and welfare is likely to lead to better mental health for farmers as concerns around cattle health are alleviated.
As these limitations on businesses are removed, the need for antimicrobial usage is reduced and the chance of resistance occurring is reduced. All of these benefits are likely to result in a reduction of the carbon footprint of cattle farms.
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