BVDFree is the first national scheme to target the elimination of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) from the English cattle herd.
The industry-led scheme has been developed with over 100 organisations showing their support.
Minette Batters, NFU Deputy President and beef farmer, said: “Eliminating BVD is something which we can achieve and will make significant difference to the cost of production and health status of cattle in the country. In Scotland they estimate the average dairy farm to be about £16,000 better off every year and a beef herd £2,000 better off every year after BVD has been eliminated.
“Farmers now have a scheme that offers a clear framework to help them eliminate the disease from their herd. I urge cattle farmers to talk to their vet about how best to approach BVD on their farm and join the scheme.”
How it works
Farmers that sign up to the scheme agree to the BVDFree Charter. They are also able to access the BVD status of tested animals and herds, giving peace of mind that they won’t be buying in the BVD virus in purchased animals.
Once a farmer has achieved BVD free status they will be eligible to promote this, allowing their herd to be clearly differentiated in the market place against herds not registered with the scheme or without a BVD Free status
BVD Charter
- To actively engage in BVD control in order to eliminate the disease from my herd.
- To report all BVD testing results from my herd to the national database.
- To allow herd status and/or individual animal statuses to be openly accessible through the BVDFree database (without any specific details of farm name or keeper shown).
- Not to move Persistently Infected (PI) animals other than directly to slaughter (or through a dedicated red slaughter market).