Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
933. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted recent research relating to BVD testing and calves coming out with a P1 result in terms of possible causes of infection in calves; the way they could have picked up the infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40252/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has participated in joint research with Animal Health Ireland, the School of Veterinary Medicine in Ireland (UCD) & the School of Veterinary Medicine - University of Nottingham, under the National BVD eradication programme. The scientific evidence compiled from the latest research outcomes has supported the programme’s actions and enhance policies in this regard over recent years.
In terms of the source of infections, the National BVD eradication programme carry out regular analysis of the epidemiological investigations funded by my Department and performed by trained private veterinary practitioners under the Target Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH).
A summary of those analyses are published in the publications listed below:
Frontiers. A Herd Investigation Tool in Support of the Irish Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Eradication Programme. 2021, Guelbenzu-Gonzalo and colleagues. (www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.694774/full).
Risk factors for detection of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in low-risk herds during the latter stages of Ireland’s eradication programme - ScienceDirect. 2022, Casey-Bryars and colleagues. (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016758772200040X).
My Department supports the Action Plan 2026 of the BVD eradication programme operated by Animal Health Ireland, which is taking a proactive and strengthened approach to tackling Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in 2026 and beyond.
