The Isle of Man Department of Environment Food and Agriculture is brining forward a Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Order (BVD order) to control the prevalence of BVD infection, with the aim of eradicating the disease in the medium term.
BVD is a commonly occurring disease, which has serious financial implications for cattle producers and dairy herds. Calculations by the Department have indicated that total direct and indirect losses due to this disease amount to ~£750,000/per year within the Isle of Man National herd. With the average Dairy herd losing £13,500/year and the average Beef herd losing £4600/year.
In response to such large losses within the Industry, the Department developed a cost-effective strategy to allow detection and removal of Persistently Infected (PI) animals. This scheme was voluntary in 2013, but now becomes compulsory from January 2014.
66% of holdings that breed cattle have joined the voluntary tagging scheme and 7,150 cattle have been officially registered and tested.
All calves, including dead and stillborn must be tested using the official tags.
Animals born after January 2014 can only be moved once a negative result is received (unless official permission is given by Animal Heath).
