Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle BVD Eradication and Welfare

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) causes significant cattle welfare harm through immunosuppression, reproductive failure, and mucosal disease - eradication programs are transforming herd health.

Key Facts

BVD causes persistent infection in calves born to infected dams - these PI animals shed virus continuously
PI cattle suffer progressive immune suppression leading to fatal mucosal disease
National eradication programs in Scandinavia have effectively eliminated BVD
Testing to identify and remove PI animals is the cornerstone of eradication programs
Vaccination protects dams but does not remove PI animals already in the herd

Welfare Considerations

BVD causes significant welfare harm through infection, reproductive failure, and the fatal progression of mucosal disease in PI animals. National eradication programs have proven that this disease can be eliminated, ending the welfare burden it causes.

What You Can Do

Support national BVD eradication programs through biosecure herd management
Advocate for mandatory BVD testing and reporting in national cattle health programs
Choose beef and dairy from farms participating in recognized BVD-free programs