26 June 2026
Welsh cattle keepers will benefit from healthier, more productive herds as the next phase of the industry-led bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme comes into force on 1 July 2026.
New legislation, shaped by the BVD Cymru Steering Group, makes Wales the latest nation to commit to eliminating BVD - joining Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and much of Europe.
Eradicating the disease will cut costs for farm businesses, improve cattle health and welfare and reduce agriculture's carbon footprint.
What changes from 1 July 2026:
- Cattle keepers whose herds do not hold BVD-negative status must pre-movement test animals before moving them off their holding
- Animals can only move on a negative result, valid for 60 days. Moving a BVD-positive or persistently infected animal is an offence
- Cattle of unknown BVD status moving on to a Welsh holding from outside Wales must be tested within 20 days of arrival
Keepers can now carry out pre-movement testing of young calves, and post-movement testing of all animals themselves using the 'Tag & Test' ear tissue sample method - reducing the need for additional vet visits and keeping compliance costs down.
(Source: Welsh Government)
Read the full story on the Welsh Government website.
For more information on BVD, please see 'Bovine viral diarrhoea'.