Irish livestock health organisation Animal Health Ireland has called on Donegal farmers and agri-industry stakeholders to intensify efforts eliminating Bovine Viral Diarrhoea from the national herd, according to Donegal Live.

The organisation states Ireland stands at a critical juncture where swift identification and removal of remaining infected animals could secure disease-free status.

Farmer commitment over the past decade has driven substantial progress, with infected breeding herds declining from peaks exceeding 11 per cent to approximately 200 herds nationally in 2025. The organisation emphasises immediate action during peak spring calving season could prove decisive.

Dr Maria Guelbenzu, AHI BVD Programme Manager, credited Donegal farmers with demonstrating collective responsibility and persistence that brought the sector to this threshold. She stated coordinated effort during the current calving period represents the opportunity to achieve BVD freedom.

The organisation warns delayed action risks undermining years of progress. Each rapid test and prompt removal of positive animals contributes directly to protecting neighbouring herds and the wider cattle population from viral spread.

AHI advocates four essential protocols: immediate tagging of newborn calves, correct tissue sampling procedures, expedited laboratory submission, and immediate isolation of virus-positive animals. Dr Guelbenzu emphasised early intervention protects individual operations whilst reducing transmission pathways that threaten regional biosecurity.

The programme represents a coordinated industry response to a disease that historically imposed significant productivity and welfare costs on Irish livestock farming. Success depends on maintaining momentum during the critical remaining phase.

Explore how coordinated farmer action is driving Ireland towards BVD-free status in the complete article.