Farmers Told to Slaughter 'Persistently Infected' Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Cattle
UK – Beef and dairy levy boards have issued a stark warning that any animal persistently infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) should be slaughtered as soon as possible.
2 October 2013
1 minute read
Farmers have been reminded that under no circumstances should such animals be sold at markets or used in breeding.
The message comes from a group of veterinarians and scientists recommending vaccination programmes for breeding stock as a means of a whole-herd BVD plan.
Professor Joe Brownlie of the Royal Veterinary College and chairman of the England Bovine Virus Diarrhoea stakeholder group said that it is key to identify persistently infected animals.
He explained that the danger that comes from allowing persistently infected animals to breed is that they will ‘certainly’ produce another persistently infected calf.
“Vaccines alone will not eradicate BVD from a herd but can play an important part in a control strategy in many herds, especially where biosecurity is incomplete,” said Professor Brownlie. “It is important that vaccines are used correctly, after consultation with the herd vet, and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.”
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