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Stricter BVD measures in force for NI
Herd restrictions apply immediately after an animal receives a positive or inconclusive test result.
There will no longer be a grace period for herd restrictions.

The next phase of Northern Ireland’s Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) control measures have come into force for herd keepers.

As of 1 February 2026, there will no longer be a grace period on BVD restrictions in the country. Herd restrictions will apply immediately once any animal in a herd receives a positive or inconclusive BVD virus test result.

This is the latest stage of a phased programme of measures introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). It forms part of the BVD Control Order (NI) 2024, first launched on 1 February 2025, which seeks to eradicated the disease in Northern Ireland.

However, while many stricter measures are now in force, some restrictions have been postponed.

The implementation of planned movement restrictions on breeding females in herds with a BVD-positive animal has been postponed by a few weeks. This is the result of a delay in changes to DAERA’s database, which is required to manage the application and removal of such restrictions.

Further communications on these measures are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Andrew Muir, DAERA minister, said: “The stricter measures coming into effect on 1 February 2026 are designed to quickly address infection risks by preventing the movement of potentially BVD infected animals, and protect the progress we have made so far.

“In doing so we will help to stop new persistently infected calves being born and protect neighbouring farms."

“My message to herd keepers is clear - take prompt action, isolate and remove infection sources, and ensure all animals are tested on time. By acting decisively and working together, we can safeguard animal welfare, reduce financial losses to farms, and complete the job of eliminating BVD from Northern Ireland once and for all.” 

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HMRC seeks feedback on locum employment categorisation

News Story 1
 HMRC has invited feedback to its communications regarding the employment status of locum vets and vet nurses.

A letter, sent from HMRC last year, provided guidance for practices categorising the employment status of locum veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

It is now inviting anonymous feedback from those making employment status decisions on their communications. The survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete and closes on Friday, 6 February.

The survey can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
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Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk