More Action Needed Against Bovine Virus Diarrhoea
WALES - The need to increase awareness of the impacts of Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) in Welsh cattle has been highlighted by a recent survey conducted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW).
11 January 2013
1 minute read
The survey, which used questionnaires gathering information from thousands of Welsh farms, demonstrated that almost of surveyed farmers had a health plan which included BVD.
Dr Hazel Wright, Senior Policy Officer, (FUW) said more needs to be done to raise awareness of the economic impacts and welfare issues the virus causes.
Dr Hazel Wright listed I reduced conception rates, protracted calving periods, increased abortion rates, stillbirths and deformed and weak calves as some of the health issued BVD causes.
To fight disease spread a BVD sub-group including government representatives and academics, industry executives and health experts has been formed to share ideas about methods.
BVD is thought to be widespread in the UK is now classed by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Steering Group (AHWSSG) as one of the non-statutory endemic disease priorities for both the Welsh dairy and beef cattle sectors.
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