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AHDB backs BVD elimination programme
cows
The RVC estimates the impact of BVD on English dairy and beef sectors to be over £11 million per year.
Supporting programme with £60,000 of funding

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is backing a major initiative to help eliminate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) by extending the existing BVD Free programme in England.

The AHDB's dairy division (DairyCo) and beef and lamb division (EBLEX) is supporting the extended programme with £60,000 of funding.

The programme is expected to be launched in England later this year, and will work closely with similar BVD programmes operating in Scotland and Wales.

The RVC estimates the impact of BVD on English dairy and beef sectors to be over £11 million per year - with the impact doubling to over £22 million in a 'worst case scenario'.

“BVD adds significant cost through its ill effects on fertility and health," says Gwyn Jones, DairyCo chairman.

"Eliminating BVD virus will not only improve health, welfare and production efficiency but contribute to our aim of reducing the need to use antimicrobials through better health.

“I passionately believe that this is a goal that is not only right for the dairy industry but is achievable if everyone works together”.

EBLEX chairman Stuart Roberts added: “Beef farmers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of BVD which can potentially wipe out one year of the productive life of beef suckler cows either because they do not get in calf or they produce a persistently infected calf which then dies before reaching a marketable weight.

“BVD elimination will not only improve individual suckler herd outputs in the short term but through less pneumonia and other health effects will yield industry-wide long-term benefits”.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.