Farm Animals

Cattle BVD Eradication: Welfare Benefits of National Programmes

National Bovine Viral Diarrhoea eradication programmes deliver significant welfare benefits for cattle at national scale.

Key Facts

BVD causes immunosuppression, abortion, and birth of persistently infected (PI) calves
PI calves suffer from repeated secondary infections throughout their lives
Scotland achieved BVD-free status in 2024 through mandatory testing and removal
England's voluntary programme significantly reduced BVD prevalence over 10 years

Welfare Considerations

BVD-infected calves, especially PI animals, experience lifelong immune compromise and repeated painful illness. National eradication eliminates this suffering at scale. Mandatory testing and prompt removal of PI animals is the most effective and welfare-beneficial approach.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory BVD testing and eradication programmes in your country
Advocate for compulsory national BVD eradication schemes in devolved nations
Choose beef from BVD-free accredited farms where possible