BVDFree England National BVD Elimination Scheme This presentation has been created to provide a clear overview of the new BVDFree Scheme. NAME DATE

BVDFree Scheme Voluntary Industry-wide support 3 areas of focus BVD the disease BVDFree Scheme Registration The Scheme launched on 1st July as a voluntary initiative to deliver the elimination of BVD from all cattle herds in England. The objective is to have at least 60% of cattle herds registered onto the Scheme by the end of year 2, at which stage the intention is to approach Government and seek compulsory measures to reach all remaining famers. Whilst this is a voluntary scheme and currently it has no funding, BVDFree are fortunate to have the support of over 100 organisations within the cattle industry; it will be through them that we can reach the majority of farmers and create a culture that recognises and drives the need to have this important disease eliminated from the country. To achieve the objective, BVDFree will focus on 3 areas: Education about the disease Raising awareness of the Scheme Encouraging farmers to register at every opportunity

The top level messages for beef and dairy farmers are included in the promotion materials that have been created… For beef farmers

And dairy farmers

Contents Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus BVDFree Scheme What it is How it works Resources to support the scheme This slide deck was created for a farmer audience to deliver the key messages about BVD and the scheme.

BVD – What is it? A highly contagious viral disease of cattle One of the biggest disease issues facing the UK cattle industry Signs aren’t always obvious, costs can be hidden Direct and indirect effects BVD can be responsible for both direct = reproductive losses and indirect = secondary diseases losses POOR FERTILITY SCOUR PNEUMONIA

Photos: Keith Cutler, Endell Veterinary Group BVD – What is it? Creation of a persistently infected animal (PI) PI calf with PI mother For BVD to continue to exist within a herd, you need the presence of persistently infected animals and naiive cattle. Unfortunately it is not possible to detect PI animals visually. POOR FERTILITY PI within the herd Photos: Keith Cutler, Endell Veterinary Group

PIs often account for only 1 or 2 out of every 100 animals in a herd BVD – What is it? Persistently Infected animals = main source of infection The only way to be certain is to TEST! PIs shed high quantities of virus for life PIs often account for only 1 or 2 out of every 100 animals in a herd PI animals shed vast quantities of virus throughout their lives to infect cattle that come into contact with them. The only way to determine whether an animal is PI is through testing.

BVDFree England Scheme – what is it? Members agree to: Actively engage in BVD control and elimination in the herd Report all BVD test results to the national database Allow individual animal/herd results to be accessible through the BVDFree database Not move Persistently Infected (PI) animals other than directly to slaughter (or through a dedicated red slaughter market) What is different about this scheme compared to successful regional and local drives and campaigns to eradicate BVD? For 2 reasons First - The central part of the scheme lies in the provision of a national database that holds individual and herd status for BVD. Second – the drive to identify AND REMOVE PI animals from the herd. All farmers registering onto the scheme must agree to the 4 points listed here

BVDFree England Scheme – how it works Set up a BVDFree programme on farm using ADAM: Assess the level of biosecurity and disease risk on farm Define the BVD status of your herd Action plan for control of BVD on farm put in place Monitor progress – annual status check The BVDFree structure has been set up using the acronym ADAM.

BVD Elimination using ADAM Seek Veterinary Advice Step 1: Assess Herd Biosecurity / Vaccination Disease history / Disease risk Not satisfactory Seek Veterinary Advice Satisfactory Step 2: Define Herd Status Using antibody ELISA: Blood test 5 - 10 young stock from each management group (9 - 18 months of age) Bulk milk/ first lactation cohort antibody samples (may include bulk milk PCR) OR using antigen ELISA or PCR Tag and Test all youngstock born for a minimum of two years Step 3a: Action Plan put in place to control risk of introducing BVD onto farm No PI animals Active BVD Step 3b: Action Plan Screen for PIs on farm Test all animals – cull PIs Test all calves for 1 year after PIs removed – cull PIs Continue for further 12 months if more PIs found – cull PIs Use antigen ELISA and/or pooled samples for PCR (tissue or blood) – confirm test criteria with lab This flow chart shows the process of achieving and sustaining BVD elimination in a beef or dairy herd. Step 4: Monitor progress Repeat Step 2 to retain BVDFree herd status 7 - 12 month intervals for young stock antibody and/or quarterly for bulk milk antibody OR Continue to Tag and Test all youngstock born Join accreditation / surveillance programme

BVDFree England - how it works bvdfree.org.uk register for Scheme Check individual animal by entering tag number Check if a herd is registered on BVDFree England Recognition when you sell Peace of mind when you buy One of the most useful resources available to the Scheme is the website. This is where you can register, check BVD status of individuals and herds, and check if a herd is registered with the scheme, ie actively engaging in BVD elimination.

BVDFree England – how it works Joining the Scheme is FREE Charges to upload all results onto the database To cover the costs of setting up and running the national database and BVDFree Helpdesk 25p per test to upload antigen test results 50p per test to upload antibody test results There is a small charge to have the results uploaded onto the database – this is to cover the initial set up costs of the database and to allow the provision of a heldesk.

Resources and further information Website bvdfree.org.uk Email help@bvdfree.org.uk Twitter @BVDFree #BVDFree Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS) www.checs.co.uk BVDFree Supporters (see list on website) Speak to your vet for more information about BVD elimination on your farm In addition to finding out more on the website, you can contact BVDFree by email and ask specific questions. Follow BVDFree on Twitter. Find more about CHeCS guidelines on BVD eradication and biosecurity, as well as advice on controlling other infectious diseases. Check the list of supporters. Always refer to your own vet to find out the best way to control BVD on your farm.

BVDFree England Scheme get involved ADAM Join online through the website Start the process of becoming BVDFree using the ADAM guidelines Test for PI animals using blood, tissue or milk Remember biosecurity is very important to ensure BVD doesn’t come onto your farm once you are free Finally – always check online to see if animals you are buying in are BVD free so you don’t bring infected animals onto your farm

Acknowledgements BVDFree Technical Group AHDB, AHI, AHWNI, Biobest, CHeCS, SAC, Scottish Government