Scottish Government are continuing to make and publish videos to promote the BVD eradication scheme. The most recent videos explain why the check test is valuable and is worth doing correctly, and the importance of protecting pregnant cows and heifers against BVD.
BVD Videos
From the 3rd of April phase 4 of the BVD eradication scheme will be fully implemented. This will reward keepers who buy cattle responsibly, and will require anyone bringing in risky animals to test them for BVD or lose their BVD “negative” herd status.
The risky animals are:
More information can be found on the Scottish Government BVD "what's new" page
To contact the Scottish Animal Movement Unit (SAMU) please phone Dumfries RPID (Rural Payments & Inspections Division) on 0300 244 5888 and ask for SAMU. The fax number is now 0300 244 8844. The email address remains samu@gov.scot.
Pig keepers are being reminded that it is illegal to feed kitchen scraps or catering waste to their pigs, as this may spread disease. Buying a recognised pig feed from your local agricultural merchant is the safest option. This issue is being highlighted following the spread of African Swine Fever in parts of Eastern and Central Europe this year.
For more information visit: www.gov.scot/africanswinefever
All sheep & goat keepers should have received an Inventory or Survey either by email or in the post, please complete, as soon as possible. The best way to do this is online. The link and password are in your email or printed on your form. If you are a sheep or goat keeper but haven’t received a form, please check your emails. Otherwise please contact the Scottish Government at 0300 244 9725 (ScotEID cannot issue the emails, forms or passwords).
More information is available at www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Agriculture-Fisheries/Publications...
Additional holdings and exemptions can now be renewed on your ScotMoves Home page. Login to ScotEID, select ‘ScotMoves’ and those additional holdings and exemptions that are due for renewal will be highlighted. You can click the ‘renew’ button online or contact ScotEID if you prefer. If you require to use ScotMoves for the first time this Winter please contact ScotEID to register for ScotMoves.
Due to increasing functionality, we are committed to regularly reviewing our Website Terms and Conditions and Data Protection Policy. Amongst other updates they now provide for the BSE Negligible Risk checker. The update also recognises the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that will apply in the UK from 25th May 2018 replacing the existing UK Data Protection Act 1998.
The Scottish Government, working with the BVD Advisory Group, are consulting on ‘phase 5’ of Scotland’s BVD eradication scheme. Since the introduction of Scotland's BVD eradication scheme the level of exposure has dropped significantly. The reduction is due to great efforts by cattle keepers and their vets to test cattle, identifying sources of BVD infection and removing them.
The BVD Advisory Group have agreed that there should be further restrictions on not negative herds to prevent disease spread. Particularly focusing on keepers that continue to retain PI animals or seem content not to investigate the cause of their not negative status.
Farmers’ views are essential to shaping this next phase 5. The consultation information is available at:
https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/animal-health-and-welfare/the-bovine-vir...
Or, telephone the ScotEID office on 01466 794323 for a printed copy of the consultation document.
The deadline for entering the calving data for calves born between 1st January to 1st June 2017 is approaching. The calving data includes entering; ease of calving, calf size, and calf vigour. Please ensure that your calving data is complete and you have entered reasons for your disposals by the 15th July 2017.
There are now 3,600 keepers registered on ScotMoves, who have recorded 7,900 additional holdings. Movements recorded on ScotMoves now exceed 220,000 – about 10,000 recorded movements each week since its launch on the 1st January 2017. Recording this information centrally on ScotMoves supports the whole beef industry by accurately recording where all Scottish cattle are currently located, now moved onto springtime grazing. The system aids disease control and eradication - such as BVD where the system accurately records the location of PI cattle. Many thanks are due to cattle farmers who are registered on ScotMoves for their continuing support and feedback, which helps us improve ScotMoves, to ensure the system meets the needs of the beef industry and Scottish Government.