Farm Animals

Cattle BVD Eradication and Welfare

Bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programmes reduce disease burden, reproductive failure, and welfare costs across cattle populations.

Key Facts

BVD is caused by a pestivirus that suppresses immunity and causes reproductive failure
Persistently infected calves shed virus continuously and are the main transmission route
Eradication through PI removal and vaccination has succeeded in several Scandinavian countries
UK eradication schemes have significantly reduced BVD prevalence since 2012
BVD-free herds have lower calf mortality and better overall welfare indicators

Welfare Considerations

BVD causes significant welfare costs through immunosuppression enabling secondary disease, reproductive failure, and calf mortality. PI calves suffer from persistent immune compromise and are often unwell throughout their lives. Eradication removes these individual welfare costs while reducing herd-wide disease burden.

What You Can Do

Support BVD eradication schemes in your country
Choose beef and dairy products from BVD-free or BVD-accredited herds where possible
Advocate for national BVD eradication programmes in countries without them