- Next phase of the industry-led programme to eradicate BVD
from Wales - backed by farming unions, vets, markets and
auctioneers.
- New rules from 1 July 2026 to protect cattle health, welfare
and farm productivity across Wales.
- Cattle keepers with BVD Not-Negative herds must pre-movement
test before moving animals off their holding.
Welsh cattle keepers will benefit from healthier, more productive
herds as the next phase of the industry-led Bovine Viral
Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme comes into force on 1 July
2026.
New legislation, shaped by the BVD Cymru Steering Group, makes
Wales the latest nation to commit to eliminating BVD joining
Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and much of
Europe.
Eradicating the disease will cut costs for farm businesses,
improve cattle health and welfare and reduce agriculture's carbon
footprint.
What changes from 1 July 2026:
- Cattle keepers whose herds do not hold BVD Negative status
must pre-movement test animals before moving them off their
holding.
- Animals can only move on a negative result, valid for 60
days. Moving a BVD-positive or persistently infected animal is an
offence.
- Cattle of unknown BVD status moving onto a Welsh holding from
outside Wales must be tested within 20 days of arrival.
Keepers can now carry out pre-movement testing of young calves,
and post-movement testing of all animals themselves using the Tag
& Test' ear tissue sample method reducing the need for
additional vet visits and keeping compliance costs down.
Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister, , said:
"I recognise that BVD has a serious impact, not just on standards
of animal health and welfare, but also on production including
increasing costs to farm businesses.
Eradicating BVD in Wales has been identified as a priority by
Welsh farmers themselves and ridding our cattle herds of this
disease will bring significant benefits to cattle health and
productivity, and also to cattle welfare, farm profitability and
carbon footprint.
"Our industry is on the same path as Scotland, Northern Ireland
and the Republic of Ireland, along with many other European
countries. I would like to express my thanks to all partners that
make up the BVD Cymru Steering Group for all their hard work to
enable this next step. We will continue to listen to and
work with farmers and industry, and the eradication programme
will evolve, whilst keeping a clear focus on the goal of a
BVD-free Wales."
Wales Chief Veterinary Officer, Richard Irvine, said:
"BVD is one of the most damaging endemic diseases affecting
cattle in Wales so working together to combat it is crucial.
BVD virus weakens immune systems, reduces fertility and
increases the risk and impact of other diseases like pneumonia
and scours. Equally, in some cases, keepers may not know BVD is
present in their herd.
"The next phase of the industry-led eradication programme brings
in new measures, including restricting movements from
not-negative holdings in Wales, and the testing of cattle with
unknown BVD status from outside of Wales. Together with a focus
on safe sourcing of cattle, these tools will help stop the
disease spreading and speed up the removal of persistently
infected animals from the national herd.
"Wales has a strong foundation to build on. Annual screening has
already given us a clearer picture of BVD prevalence across the
country. This next phase puts that knowledge into action. I
commend the ongoing work of the BVD Steering Group and Technical
Advisory Group and encourage all cattle keepers to check their
herd's status through EIDCymru now.
, Chair, BVD Cymru Steering
Group, said:
"Reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication and
hard work of everyone involved in the BVD Cymru programme from
farmers and vets to markets, auctioneers and both farming unions.
This has always been an industry-led effort, and that is what
makes it so significant.
BVD herd screens are currently showing that four out of every
five herds are negative and will not require any further action
for 12 months from the screening date. We want this
percentage to increase to 100%. Stopping the movement of PI
animals (except direct to slaughter) is essential to achieving
this goal.
"We are asking every cattle keeper in Wales to check their herd's
BVD status now and make sure they understand what is required of
them from 1 July. Eradicating BVD from Wales is achievable and
the actions we take together over the coming months will bring us
significantly closer to that goal."
Notes to editors
For full testing guidance, visit the Welsh Government's BVD
pages. For practical advice, visitwww.bvdcymru.wales.
