Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
1044. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the introduction of the BVD eradication programme in January 2013 appears to have failed in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/24]
View answerIt’s my clear ambition to eradicate BVD from the national herd as soon as possible and I believe the finishing line is in sight.
You may be aware that the BVD free programme is coordinated and managed by Animal Health Ireland under the direction of the BVD Implementation Group which consists of a range of industry stakeholders, including my Department. The BVD Implementation Group is advised by the BVD Technical Working Group, and it determines operational matters.
Good progress has been made with the incidence of BVD positive calves decreasing to just 0.03 % in 2023 compared with 0.66 % in 2013. 246 herds cases been disclosed BVD suspect in 2023.
The new Animal Health Law (AHL) came into force in April 2021 sets out the requirements for recognition of BVD free status at EU level. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 requires at least 99.8 % of the cattle herds representing at least 99.9% of the cattle population must be categorised as free from BVD, and that there has not been a confirmed BVD cases in the preceding 18 months.
