DARD minister Michelle O’Neill has announced that the government plans to bring forward draft legislation to make Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) testing compulsory in Northern Ireland.

The government announced plans to make BVD testing compulsory over two years ago, and minister O’Neill said the compulsory scheme will be rolled out next year. The British Veterinary Association said that vets and farmers have already been engaging with the voluntary testing scheme.

Commenting on the announcement on Wednesday, Simon Doherty, President of BVA Northern Ireland Branch, said, “With about half of Northern Ireland farmers involved, the uptake under the voluntary BVD testing scheme has been really promising. So it’s most welcome that Minister O’Neill has committed to the necessary introduction of compulsory testing, as part of the joined-up Government, profession and industry approach that is crucial for the delivery of a successful BVD eradication programme in Northern Ireland.”