Farm Animals

Cattle BVD Control Programme Welfare

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) causes significant welfare losses through reproductive failure, neonatal disease, and immunosuppression. Effective control programmes eliminate disease.

Key Facts

BVD is one of the most economically damaging cattle diseases in Europe
Persistently infected (PI) animals shed virus continuously and are the primary source
Testing and culling of PI animals is the foundation of effective control
Scotland achieved near-eradication through a national mandatory programme
Vaccination protects pregnant cows from fetal infection and PI calf production

Welfare Considerations

BVD causes significant welfare harm across its clinical manifestations. PI calves suffer from concurrent infections and die prematurely. Disease spread through herds causes reproductive failure and neonatal deaths. Effective control programmes that identify and remove PI animals prevent ongoing welfare harm and are cost-effective welfare investments.

What You Can Do

Test all calves for BVD PI status or participate in a national BVD control scheme
Vaccinate breeding animals against BVD
Support national BVD eradication initiatives in your country