Compulsory programme to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea by 2013

A NATIONAL programme of eradication of bovine viral diarrhoea in Irish cattle is likely to become compulsory by 2013, according to Animal Health Ireland (AHI).

AHI is the industry-led, not-for-profit partnership between livestock farmers, processors, service providers and the Government, which aims to improve the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of livestock farmers and related industries through superior animal health.

AHI envisages three years of tissue-tag testing of calves followed by a further three years of surveillance based on bulk milk tank testing or targeted blood sampling. Herds with negative tissue-tag test results would require minimal further sampling at the end of the three-year intensive sampling period, whereas herds with positive tests during this period (estimated to be 25% of herds) would require additional testing to identify and remove any further persistently infected cattle.

The estimated total cost for the six-year eradication programme is €49 million, with €21m and €28m attributed to dairy and suckler sectors respectively.

However, annual losses due to BVD infection exceed eradication costs by a factor of at least 10, according to David Graham, programme manager with Animal Health Ireland.

“The benefit to cost ratio in the dairy sector was at least 14:1, while in the suckler sector it was at least 5:1,” he said.

“When analysed in terms of pay-back period, it was found that the total costs of the programme in the suckler sector would be recouped by saving just over one year’s losses, while the costs in the dairy sector would be recouped in around six months,” said Dr Graham.

Animal Health Ireland recently commissioned the Scottish Agricultural Colleges to estimate BVD losses to the Irish cattle industry. Annual losses were put at more than €102m, consisting of €55m, €27m and €20m in the dairy, suckler and finishing sectors.

Representatives drawn from across industry are now meeting to plan the implementation and delivery of a co-ordinated industry-led national BVD eradication programme.