BVA/BVA NI response to compulsory BVD testing announcement
Responding to the announcement made by DARD minister Michelle ONeill (1 December), the British Veterinary Association and the British Veterinary Association Northern Ireland Branch have welcomed plans to bring forward draft legislation to make Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) testing compulsory in Northern Ireland.
Simon Doherty, President of BVA Northern Ireland Branch, said: “With about half of Northern Ireland farmers involved, the uptake under the voluntary BVD testing scheme has been really promising. So it’s most welcome that Minister O’Neill has committed to the necessary introduction of compulsory testing, as part of the joined-up Government, profession and industry approach that is crucial for the delivery of a successful BVD eradication programme in Northern Ireland.”
Sean Wensley, President of the British Veterinary Association, said: “Vets and farmers have been well engaged with the process so far and keen to see it progress; the announcement for a compulsory BVD testing scheme was made more than two years ago so we are very pleased to hear this next step in its continued progress towards legislation, with a deadline for rollout set for March 2016.”
