Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Herd Restrictions

BVD Positive and BVD Inconclusive herd restrictions

Since 1 February 2026, herds in which one or more animals have tested BVD positive (BVDP) or inconclusive (BVDI) are restricted immediately following disclosure of a positive or inconclusive test result.

Herd restrictions prohibit all moves into the herd, and all moves out except to direct slaughter. In exceptional cases, DAERA may allow moves in or out under licence.

Where BVDP or BVDI herd restrictions are applied, the same restrictions are also applied to herds which are linked on NIFAIS due to common disease risks (associated herds).

BVDP herd restrictions remain until:

• 21 days after the removal of the last BVDP animal; and
• all animals in the herd over 30 days old have a negative test result (BVDN or INDNEG)

BVDI herd restrictions are removed immediately if:

• the BVDI animal re-tests negative for BVD or is removed from the herd; and
• all animals in the herd over 30 days old have a negative test result (BVDN or INDNEG)

BVD Unknown status herd restrictions

Since 1 June 2026, movement restrictions have been applied to any herd with 5 or more BVDUs >30 days old.

Herd restrictions prohibit all moves into the herd, and all moves out except to direct slaughter. In exceptional cases, DAERA may allow BVD negative status animals to move in or out under licence.

Where BVDU herd restrictions are applied, the same restrictions are also applied to herds linked on NIFAIS due to common disease risks (associated herds).

BVDU herd restrictions will be lifted when all animals in the herd (and any associated herds) more than 30 days old have a negative test result (BVDN or INDNEG).

Trojan Restrictions

A pregnant animal which is carrying a BVD infected calf is referred to as a ‘trojan’. These animals are a very important route by which BVD virus can enter a previously uninfected farm. In a herd which has recently had a BVD positive animal, pregnant females should be considered high-risk animals.

Trojan restrictions have applied since 1 March 2026.

Following a positive test result, all females in the herd of breeding age (12 months old or older) will be restricted to the herd for 41 weeks following the removal of the last BVD positive animal. BVDFEM status will be applied on NIFAIS to restrict these animals. The restriction on individual females will be lifted earlier if any of the following conditions apply:

• the restricted female has a calf (including an aborted calf or stillbirth) which has been BVD tested with a negative result;
• the restricted female tested positive for BVD antibodies at an approved laboratory from a blood sample taken within the previous 12 months and before the insemination preceding its current gestation; or
• the restricted female tested negative for BVD antibodies, on a blood sample taken at least 21 days after the day on which the last bovine in the herd with a positive test result was removed.

BVDFEM status animals can only move to direct slaughter. Licensed moves to another farm will only be permitted in exceptional cases.

Herds containing one or more females with BVDFM status are assigned BVDHF status. BVDHF is not a herd-level restriction; it is a label indicating that one or more females in the herd are subject to BVDFEM restrictions.

If you wish to arrange for the removal of BVDFEM status from individual females, the appropriate blood samples should be taken and evidence of the results provided to AHWNI using the “BVDFEM removal by antibody testing” form available below.

Licensed moves in or out of BVD restricted herds

All requests to move animals in or out of BVD restricted herds (except to slaughter, which is allowed) should be sent in writing to BVDadmin@daera-ni.gov.uk. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will only be approved in exceptional cases, where the risk of BVD spread can be effectively managed.

Further information

Enquiries on the implementation of BVD herd restrictions should be sent to BVDadmin@daera-ni.gov.uk 

Documents

• BVDFEM Status Removal by Anti-body TestingMicrosoft Word (105.27 KB)
• Herd Restriction FAQs - Updated 6 October 2026Microsoft Word (99.52 KB)

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