Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle BVD Eradication Welfare Benefits

Bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programmes reduce significant disease burden and associated welfare costs across cattle populations.

Key Facts

BVD costs the UK cattle industry an estimated 61 million pounds annually
Persistently infected cattle shed virus continuously and are the key transmission reservoir
Mandatory eradication programmes in Scandinavia have virtually eliminated BVD
UK voluntary eradication programme has reduced herd-level prevalence significantly
BVD causes immunosuppression increasing susceptibility to other diseases

Welfare Considerations

BVD causes direct welfare harm through respiratory disease, diarrhoea, and reproductive failure, and indirect harm through immunosuppression that allows other pathogens to cause disease. Eradication programmes that identify and remove persistently infected animals break the transmission cycle and protect herd health. Eradication is one of the highest-impact cattle welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory BVD eradication as national cattle welfare policy
Advocate for all cattle to be tested and free of BVD PI status
Learn about BVD eradication programme benefits for welfare and economics