Minister calls for caution as BVD eradication enters "critical phase"

The incursion of BVD into such herds with reduced immunity can have devastating impacts and lead to the development of further BVD persistently infected cattle.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has called for "renewed caution" as the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme approaches what he described as a "particularly critical juncture".

"The breeding season is the high-risk period for the generation of BVD persistently infected (PI) cattle. As the national prevalence of BVD decreases, so too does the natural immunity to BVD. This, coupled with reduced levels of vaccination across the country, means many herds are at increased susceptibility to infection," a Department spokesperson said.