Two years of implementation of voluntary program for recognition of status herd free of BVDV in Slovenia

Since the end of 2013 the new policy regarding BVD is implemented in Slovenia. For the first time cattle breeders can apply on a voluntary basis for the official recognition a BVDV free herd status. At the beginning of 2016 the status have already been recognized for 20 bovine herds and much more are in the process of obtaining status, which confirms that the farmers adopt the program. Between the years 2013 and 2016 for the purpose of obtaining the status 3.747 serum samples were laboratory tested by ELISA for the presence of antibodies against BVD and 7.325 samples by the RT-PCR method for the detection of BVD virus. Although this is encouraging, still only a small percentage of breeders is involved in the voluntary program. However, since more than half of bovine herds in Slovenia are still uninfected, each of these breeders might officially gained recognition of BVD free herd within six months. It is already clear, that only with the voluntary program we will not achieve substantial progress, so it is necessary, as soon as possible, to confirm and adopt a national eradication program for BVD.