My Department recognises the importance of prompt removal of persistently infected (PI) animals to prevent further spread of infection within and between herds and encourages herd-owners to remove PI animals immediately. To encourage the early disposal of PI calves infected with BVD, I recently announced a re-focusing of financial supports available to farmers who dispose of their calves in a timely fashion. These measures provide for a €120 payment in respect of disposals of beef PI calves in suckler herds and payment of €75 towards the disposal of second and subsequent dairy PI female calves born in dairy herds that are disposed of in a timely manner. In addition, my Department’s Beef Genomics Scheme, also includes a provision to provide for the early removal of PI calves.
These supports have already resulted in a substantial increase in the number of PI animals being disposed of and I anticipate that, in light of the ongoing information campaign by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) on the need to dispose of PI calves, the improved measures will provide an effective incentive to encourage herdowners in timely disposal of PI animals.
