Cross-border BVD hot spot remains as island-wide eradication push intensifies

Significant progress in reducing bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) across Ireland is being hindered by a persistent pocket of infection in the border region, prompting a major cross-community meeting to coordinate action

Tomás Bourke of the IFA acknowledged farmers had made enormous strides in moving towards BVD freedom, but he expressed serious concern calf compensation rates in Ireland do not adequately reflect the financial burden placed on farmers. File picture

Significant progress in reducing bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) across Ireland is being hindered by a persistent pocket of infection in the border region, prompting a major cross-community meeting in Co Armagh to coordinate action.

Strong strides have been made in reducing the rates of BVD across the island of Ireland in recent years, yet a significant pocket of the disease continues to take hold in the border region, presenting a shared challenge that neither jurisdiction can solve alone.