From 1 June 2026, cattle farmers in Northern Ireland will face tighter controls on untested animals as the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) implements the final phase of its Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication strategy. The threshold for mandatory herd restrictions will fall to just five untested animals over 30 days old, down from the previous limit.
The move represents the culmination of a 16-month phased introduction of movement restrictions designed to eliminate the highly contagious virus. Under the new rules, any herd keeper with five or more BVDU-status (unknown status) animals aged over 30 days will receive a warning letter advising that restrictions will be applied unless all untested animals are tested within 28 days.
Final Stage of Phased Restrictions
The compulsory BVD eradication programme has operated since March 2016, but the introduction of herd-level movement restrictions marks a significant escalation in enforcement. The phased approach began on 1 February 2025, when the BVD Control Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 came into force, initially targeting herds with 20 or more untested animals. The threshold subsequently dropped to ten animals, and now falls to five for the final stage.
- 1 June 2026: Threshold reduces to 5 untested animals (BVDUs) over 30 days old
- Warning process: Herd keepers receive 28-day notice to test animals before restrictions apply
- Legal basis: BVD Eradication Scheme Order (NI) 2016 and BVD Control Order (NI) 2024
Where herd restrictions are applied, all movements into and out of the herd will be prohibited, except to direct slaughter or for disposal. Herds associated by DAERA due to common disease risks will also be restricted. In exceptional circumstances, DAERA may permit certain movements under licence.
Minister Defends Stricter Measures
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir acknowledged that the stricter measures may disrupt some operations, but insisted they are necessary to prevent “silent spread” of the disease by untested animals that may be infected.
Minister Muir said: “I am very pleased to see the substantial progress achieved in controlling BVD to date. I am also grateful that most farmers recognise the serious impact this disease can have and are taking all possible action to protect their herds, including ensuring that animals are tested promptly. However, this change from 1 June, is necessary to further reduce the number of untested animals in Northern Ireland, which could be silently spreading the disease.
“I appreciate that these stricter measures may result in more herds being restricted, however, no herd needs to be restricted due to untested (BVDU status) animals if herd keepers act promptly. I would therefore encourage all keepers to review the BVD status of animals in their herd now, and ensure that any BVDU animals are tested as soon as possible.”
The Disease and Testing Requirements
BVD is a serious and highly contagious disease that reduces cattle productivity and compromises animal welfare. The virus is mainly spread by persistently infected (PI) cattle, which are born with the disease after coming into contact with the virus in the womb. These animals shed high levels of virus throughout their lives. The virus can also spread via transiently infected cattle, which typically shed virus for two to three weeks before recovering.
Under the BVD Eradication Scheme Order (NI) 2016, herd keepers are required to sample all calves within 20 days of birth as well as any bovines that enter a herd without a negative BVD status. Animals that test positive must be isolated to prevent direct or indirect contact with other susceptible animals.
Further details on how to avoid restrictions and the process for lifting them are available on the DAERA website.