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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 2nd February 2026
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Stricter BVD measures in force for NI
Herd restrictions apply immediately after an animal receives a positive or inconclusive test result.
There will no longer be a grace period for herd restrictions.

The next phase of Northern Ireland’s Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) control measures have come into force for herd keepers.

As of 1 February 2026, there will no longer be a grace period on BVD restrictions in the country. Herd restrictions will apply immediately once any animal in a herd receives a positive or inconclusive BVD virus test result.

This is the latest stage of a phased programme of measures introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). It forms part of the BVD Control Order (NI) 2024, first launched on 1 February 2025, which seeks to eradicated the disease in Northern Ireland.

However, while many stricter measures are now in force, some restrictions have been postponed.

The implementation of planned movement restrictions on breeding females in herds with a BVD-positive animal has been postponed by a few weeks. This is the result of a delay in changes to DAERA’s database, which is required to manage the application and removal of such restrictions.

Further communications on these measures are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Andrew Muir, DAERA minister, said: “The stricter measures coming into effect on 1 February 2026 are designed to quickly address infection risks by preventing the movement of potentially BVD infected animals, and protect the progress we have made so far.

“In doing so we will help to stop new persistently infected calves being born and protect neighbouring farms."

“My message to herd keepers is clear - take prompt action, isolate and remove infection sources, and ensure all animals are tested on time. By acting decisively and working together, we can safeguard animal welfare, reduce financial losses to farms, and complete the job of eliminating BVD from Northern Ireland once and for all.” 

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.