Scottish Government seeks advice on BVD eradication
The British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) is advising its members to respond to a Scottish Government consultation on the third stage of its bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication scheme in Scotland.
The scheme is composed of four stages:
Stage 1: Subsidised screening - which ran from September 2010 to April 2011 and involved the Scottish Government providing £180,000 towards testing herds for the disease;
Stage 2: Mandatory annual screening - which requires all keepers of breeding cattle to screen their herds for BVD by February 1, 2013, and annually thereafter;
Stage 3: Reducing the spread of infection - where the Government is now consulting, proposing measures such as a ban on selling persistently infected cattle and restricting movement on herds that are not free of BVD; and
Stage 4: Biosecurity controls - which could include the use of double-fencing or housing for those herds that have a persistent BVD problem.
The Scottish Government is keen to seek the opinions of those farmers and veterinary professionals who have a specific interest in the eradication of the disease. They have advised any responses given should carefully consider the details of the proposals, as every answer could have a direct impact on any legislation required to enable stage 3 of the scheme.
To respond to the consult, please visit the Scottish Government’s website.
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
