Farmers will be disappointed that the BVD PI Removal Incentivisation Scheme is closing on September 30, the Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Victor Chestnutt has said, as he urged farmers to submit their claim forms on time.
The BVD incentivisation scheme aims to remove persistently infected (PI) animals from herds and was pushed for by the UFU, the organisation has said.
Commenting on the scheme, Chestnutt said: “We wanted schemes that would ensure the EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid (EAA) funding was used strategically and delivered benefits across our livestock sectors.
“We wanted to see the aid package used in a way that provided genuine and lasting benefits to the industry. The BVD, pig health and the soil sampling schemes, all delivered under the EAA, are excellent examples of what industry and government can achieve when we work together.”
Chestnutt said that the scheme has had a positive impact on the ground, noting: “PI animals are being removed earlier and the scheme has helped farmers cope with the costs.”
However, figures from the scheme indicate that a small number of farmers are holding onto PI calves and it is possible that more awareness raising needs to be done about the financial and welfare risks associated with BVD, according to the farmers’ group.
Research shows that retaining a single PI animal doubles the risk of having further PIs the following year. Less than 20% of PIs make it to a productive age.
“Given this, it is highly recommended that any BVD PI animal is removed as quickly as possible, with or without an incentive scheme,” Chestnutt stressed.
“The UFU has supported calls for herd restrictions for farmers who retain PI animals. Ultimately, we want to see this preventable disease eradicated as quickly as possible.”
The UFU is of the opinion that the BVD scheme should be viewed as a ‘successful pilot’ and has encouraged DAERA (Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs) to consider similar schemes in future.
“It is regrettable that the BVD scheme has operated for such a short window. Evidence shows that a combination of education, incentives, and reasonable controls help to reduce disease levels.
“This is working in other regions, such as the Republic of Ireland, and we believe it can work here too,” the deputy president concluded.