NI farmers advised to ensure no cattle in herd with BVD risk
According to AHWNI, animals with undisclosed infection can present a BVD risk to the rest of the herd, to neighbouring herds, or to purchasing herds, by being the cause of transient infections that allow the virus to circulate.
It said that the presence of the BVD virus in a herd can be very costly, as its immunosuppressive effects can put transiently infected cattle at risk of pneumonias and scours.
The AHWNI highlighted that this month (June 2025), the Department of Agriculture, Enterprise and Rural Affairs (DAERA), commenced the process of restricting herds with more than 20
cattle over 30 days of age that have not had a BVD test result recorded.
It claimed that just over 100 herd owners have been informed that their herd will be restricted after 28 days if all animals over 30 days of age are not BVD tested.
It also said that all moves in and out will be prohibited, except for movements to direct slaughter.
Farmers who receive a warning letter from DAERA are strongly advised to act without delay to avoid their herd being restricted.
BVD
AHWNI has said that from December 1, 2025, the threshold will be changed, so that movement restrictions will be applied by DAERA on herds with 10 or more BVD unknown status (BVDU) cattle.
It also explained that restrictions on herds with BVDUs will be lifted immediately on confirmation of a negative BVD result for all cattle more than 30 days old.
In a statement, AHWNI said: 'Testing should be carried out using supplementary tags or blood
samples taken by a private vet.
'As the drive to stamp out BVD continues, herd owners are urged to test newborn calves promptly and to ensure that test results are returned for all cattle. Any that have a 'no sample' report returned should be retested as soon as possible,' it added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
3 days ago
- Agriland
Farmers in NI reminded to seek vet advice on bluetongue vaccine
Livestock farmers in Northern Ireland (NI) are being urged to seek professional veterinary advice before administering a bluetongue vaccine. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has permitted the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agricultural spokesperson, Carla Lockhart said that thankfully, NI remains a bluetongue-free zone. "DAERA is actively conducting surveillance sampling in abattoirs to declare freedom from the disease," Lockhart said. "Officials are also using the Met Office's hazard manager maps, and midge traps are in operation at seven inland and coastal sites across NI." She reiterated that vigilance and strict biosecurity measures are key, especially as the disease threat from infected midges is heightened during the warmer summer months. 'Clinical signs or symptoms of the disease should be reported to a vet or the local divisional veterinary office immediately," Lockhart said. "Incidence of the disease in the UK has predominately affected sheep and cattle, while goats, deer and camelids such as alpacas and lamas are also susceptible species." While the decision to allow the use of BTV-3 vaccines will give flock keepers and herd owners an additional safeguard against the disease, Lockhart said it is important to note that the medicine will not prevent infection or transmission. "Vaccination does have a role in managing disease severity," she said. 'Farm vets and livestock farmers must apply to DAERA for a licence to use a BTV-3 vaccine. The three approved inactivated vaccines are authorised for use throughout the UK and the EU.' She added that the decision to vaccinate is a "personal choice, but I would strongly advise farmers to seek expert advice from their private vet". "Farmers will be responsible for all associated costs, and if applicable, they are responsible for adhering to the necessary trade and export requirements," she said. 'There are a number of factors to be aware of, especially concerning vaccinated animals. "Using vaccines may limit the use of negative serology tests for germinal product certification to some third countries, requiring PCR tests. "Some certificates for third country (non UK or EU) exports are already affected because they require UK BTV-3 freedom. 'While Northern Ireland remains BTV-3 free, vaccinated animals are eligible for slaughter; and breeding sheep and cattle can be sold to the EU for breeding and production. 'The use of vaccination has no impact on the trade or movement of meat and dairy products to the EU. However, complications may arise if NI loses its bluetongue freedom.' The movement of animals from Great Britain to NI remains suspended, Lockhart noted.
Agriland
08-08-2025
- Agriland
Farm safety survey: 75% of NI farmers fear being hit by an animal
More farmers are following safer work practices according to new figures from a farm safety survey released by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Farm Safety Partnership (FSP). The findings from the 2023 Farm Safety Survey also revealed 90% of farmers reported they had no minor injuries or near misses on the farm in the previous 12 months. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir welcomed the statistics saying they were useful to help understand further the risks. 'These farm safety figures are vital to help us understand the scale and nature of the risk's farmers are facing and the barriers preventing improvements to keep themselves, their workers and families safe," Minister Muir said. 'They also help us shape our policies and develop targeted practical measures to protect lives. Our goal is to use them to improve standards and save lives on our farms." Deputy chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), and vice-chair of the FSP, Bryan Monson welcomed the findings but said more still needs to be done to keep farmers safe. 'We're very encouraged by the figures that show fewer farmers never carry a child in a tractor, work with a loose bull, or remain beside an underground slurry tank while slurry was mixing," he said. "However, farming remains one of our most dangerous sectors with too many farmers still being injured or killed in what are preventable accidents. 'Worryingly, the statistics also show more farmers are suffering injuries that require medical attention and that they are taking longer off work as a result, possibly indicating an increase in the severity of the injuries,' he said. Other findings included: One in 10 (10%) experienced a minor injury and/or a near miss in the previous 12 months; 2% of farmers reported an accident that required medical attention with 48% suffering a fracture and 29% a laceration; Some 27% of those injured took more than 30 days off work compared to 16% in 2019; Less than half (45%) of those who had an accident did not require any time off work to recover; The main causes of accidents were being hit by an animal (33%) and slips at ground level (20%). The findings also revealed that 75% of farmers identified being hit or trampled by an animal as a hazard they are most concerned about while 71% are worried about slipping or tripping. Barriers to working safely included cost (77%) followed by time pressures from farm work (48%) or employment outside the farm (32%). Monson said farmers need to make safety a priority: 'I'd urge our farmers to take time each day, with every task, to stop, think and plan when working with machinery, livestock or carrying out maintenance. 'Our Stop and Think SAFE campaign is a simple but powerful message that reflects the four main causes of fatal accidents on local farms – slurry, animals, falls from height and equipment. "We know time and costs pressures are real but keeping yourself safe is not optional – it must come first to protect lives, families and livelihoods,' he added. The Farm Safety Partnership comprises: HSENI; DAERA; Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU); NFU Mutual; Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster (YFCU); Farm Safety Foundation (FSF); Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers' Association (NIAPA); Rural Support. It is tasked with assisting Northern Ireland's farming community to work safely and tackle the problem of work-related fatalities and injuries on farms.
Agriland
07-08-2025
- Agriland
DAERA to host webinar updating public on bluetongue virus
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed that it is hosting a webinar in order to provide an update on the bluetongue virus (BTV-3). According to DAERA, the session will be held on Tuesday, August 12 between 7:00p.m and 9:00p.m, and is open to all. Department officials from the Veterinary Service and Animal Health Group will provide information on BTV-3, including the outbreaks in the European Union and in Britain, as well as surveillance, agreed disease control response and vaccination. Representatives from the Animal and Plant Health Agency will also discuss their experiences in dealing with BTV outbreaks across England. DAERA said that the session will conclude with an opportunity to put questions to the panel of experts. A recording of the webinar will be made available on the DAERA website for those unable to attend. Separately, last week (August 1) DAERA urged all poultry and bird across Northern Ireland to remain vigilant for signs of avian influenza (bird flu). Recently, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a small backyard flock in Co. Donegal and in flocks across six locations in England. In all cases, birds were humanely culled to prevent further spread. DAERA said that these findings "highlight the persistent and serious threat" posed by bird flu to both commercial and backyard flocks. The department reminded all bird keepers, regardless of the size or type of flock, to remain alert and take all necessary steps to minimise the risk of infection, particularly from wild birds. Recent weeks have also seen multiple cases of bird flu detected in wild birds, particularly in coastal regions of Ireland and Great Britain. One confirmed case has been reported in a wild bird found in Co. Down. DAERA has emphasised the critical importance of strict biosecurity in preventing the introduction and spread of the disease.
