Animal Health Ireland urges Donegal farmers to act fast on BVD eradication

Animal Health Ireland (AHI) is urging all Donegal farmers and the wider agri-industry to work together to “finish the job” on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication.

AHI said Ireland is now closer than ever to achieving BVD freedom and key to this major milestone is acting quickly to identify and remove remaining positive animals.

Thanks to the commitment and leadership shown by farmers over the past decade, Ireland has made remarkable progress in tackling BVD. The number of infected breeding herds has fallen dramatically from a peak of over 11 per cent to just approximately 200 herds nationally during 2025.

However, AHI warns that speed is now of the essence if Ireland is to move decisively towards BVD freedom.

“Farmers in Donegal have played a huge role in getting us to this point, and we are very close now,” said Dr Maria Guelbenzu, AHI BVD Programme Manager. “This is a testament to collective effort, responsibility and persistence across the sector.

“One big push this year, starting at the peak spring calving season, can bring us extremely close to BVD freedom. Every calf tested quickly, and every positive animal removed promptly, makes a real difference, this is about protecting the progress that has been made and finishing what we started.”

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AHI is strongly encouraging farmers to act without delay by following four simple but vital steps: tag calves promptly at birth, bag the tissue sample correctly, send it for testing as soon as possible, and remove any virus positive calves immediately.

“Farmers all across Donegal have played such a leadership role in getting us this far, now it’s time to give BVD one last big push,” said Dr Guelbenzu. “Early action not only protects individual herds but also reduces the risk of onward spread, safeguarding neighbours and the wider cattle population.”

“Tag. Bag. Test. Remove. Let’s finish the job, together.”