The Ruminant Health and Welfare body has faced significant challenges in eradicating bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in England. With Scotland, Northern Ireland and now Wales making substantial progress, it is time for England to act and catch up. This has been a source of frustration for many progressive farmers who have already controlled the disease on their farms. Despite their efforts, the Defra Pathway programme is introducing another two-year voluntary scheme. Many in the industry believe that the work done by BVD Free England, CHECS and others over the years has already taken the voluntary approach as far as it can go.
However, the co-design expert group, comprising industry and government representatives, suggested that an additional two years of funded action would be highly beneficial. This extended support would cover testing and veterinary time, strengthen the farmer-veterinary partnership in implementing biosecurity measures and provide an opportunity for those who have yet to begin this journey to access funding to work towards achieving BVD-free status on their farms.
Since the launch of the Pathway endemics (BVD) programme, farmers can still take advantage of the Pathway review to develop a bespoke plan for their farm in collaboration with their veterinarian However, additional funding is now available to test herds, discuss biosecurity and search for persistently infected (PI) in the herd if a test fails. The PI hunt is fully funded, and farmers are encouraged to act swiftly when these animals are identified, as their continued presence poses a significant risk to the rest of the herd.
While the extended two-year funded voluntary scheme takes place, the next stage, which will be mandatory, is being codesigned. When the mandatory stage begins, funding will cease, and all farms in England will be required to comply. Therefore, it is imperative that any farmers who have not yet started, or are still progressing through the BVD eradication journey, take advantage of the funding available over the next two years.
There are concerns about ‘hard to reach’ farmers and veterinary surgeons. Farmers often claim they have not heard of the Defra Pathway programme, let alone the latest phase to eradicate BVD. As incredible as this may seem to those directly involved, communicating effectively with farmers and veterinarians who may not be receiving or reading relevant publications and articles requires significant effort and energy.
Most veterinarians and farmers are aware of the Pathway, and many farmers have already used small grant schemes to acquire equipment for easy, stress-free handling, weighing and other needs. The large grants scheme is funding new or refurbished calfrearing sheds, with many veterinarians advising and providing expert opinions to applicants.
Grants are often easier to promote to the industry than programmes that could potentially deliver far greater benefits through improved health and welfare. Eradicating BVD is central to this, as the disease not only affects infected animals but also allows PI animals to spread the disease within herds, compromising health and immunity. BVD has already been detected in one or two herds previously thought to be BVD-free.
Biosecurity is central to this initiative. The initial Pathway review visit, followed by the funded BVD follow-up visit, provides an opportunity for veterinarians and farmers to discuss biosecurity at each stage. Over time, this is expected to improve the currently lax approach to biosecurity in ruminants. Beef, dairy and sheep farmers must adopt a more progressive attitude towards biosecurity, supported by their veterinary partners.
The ruminant sector has observed that even the poultry sector, despite its strong biosecurity measures, had to adapt further in response to AI. With bluetongue virus now present in this country and foot and mouth disease in Germany, cattle and sheep farmers must take note. There is genuine financial value in maintaining a healthy, well-managed herd or flock, as this not only reduces costs but also improves returns, boosting the bottom line. Successful farmers, in turn, benefit veterinarians.
Another important element is the environment. Healthy animals not only produce more and cost less, but also require fewer replacements. Keeping replacement animals on the farm increases costs and contributes to higher carbon emissions, particularly methane. While many innovative ideas are being trialled, the most effective way to reduce emissions and save money, rather than incur additional expenses, is by maintaining healthy stock.
The aim is to bring as many farmers as possible into the Pathway's BVD programme, with legislation, if approved by the government, addressing those who remain outside it. Farmers who delay will miss out on funding and will be required to carry out the compulsory tests at their own expense. It would be far better for the veterinary profession to encourage them to join now and be paid to complete the necessary work and tests. This would further strengthen the farmer-veterinarian partnership. The process is both quick and straightforward.
The initial application to join the Pathway can be completed in the time it takes to boil a kettle for a cup of tea. With the new service, the application covers both the Review and the BVD scheme until June 2027.
A biosecurity discussion and a BVD test are the only requirements during the Review. This is followed by a BVD visit, during which further tests are conducted. If any tests return positive results, they trigger the opportunity for a funded PI hunt. As many farmers already participating in the programme often say, ‘Why wouldn't you?’
In England, we are determined to learn from what has worked well in the devolved nations and, importantly, from what has not. While we need to catch up—given that they have a few years' head start—getting the legislation right, demonstrating ambition and securing industry support can ensure success. However, this can only be achieved with the full cooperation and buy-in of the industry, including the veterinary profession.
It is difficult to imagine anyone not wanting to succeed in eradicating BVD, given its impact on health, welfare, profit, trade and export opportunities. The EU is actively progressing its efforts in this area, and there is a real risk that our trading partners could raise the stakes once they reach their goals. It is crucial that we are not left behind.