BVDCymru
On 11 June 2024 the Senedd passed The Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (Wales) Order 2024 which introduced BVD as a statutory disease and set out provisions for a mandatory eradication scheme. This is a statutory instrument which sits under the provisions of the Animal Health Act 1981.
The introduction of legislation follows the conclusion of the voluntary Gwaredu BVD scheme which ran from 2017 – 2022. The scheme was funded by the Welsh Government, through the RDP, offered free BVD screening and the necessary support and guidance to ensure farmers could identify herds infected with BVD. Financial support was also available to conduct PI hunts to identify any PI animals in infected herds. Over 9,200 (84%) of Welsh cattle farms engaged in the programme, with 28% of those testing positive for the virus and over 1,000 herds conducting a PI hunt. The Gwaredu BVD scheme was run and administered by Coleg Sir Gâr.
This BVDCymru Board has been formed to provide governance to the eradication programme and this Terms of Reference sets out how that board will function. This builds on the industry steering group structure which was critical to the success of the Gwaredu BVD scheme.
To note that ultimate responsibility for the implementation of legislation remains with the Welsh Government.
- NFU Cymru
- FUW
- Iechyd Da
- Mentera
- BVA Cymru
- WVCS
- WLBP
- Farming Connect
- HCC
- AHDB
- Welsh Government OCVO representative
- EID Cymru / Multi Species Wales
- Welsh Government Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group chair or nominated representative
- Livestock Auctioneers' Association Ltd
- Coleg Sir Gâr
- Chairperson of the TAG