Animal Health & Welfare NI

19/12/2025

10/12/2025

Joint-cross-border-BVD-awareness-campaign-starts https://tinyurl.com/dw3wmw6e

01/12/2025

If you are impacted by the 20 kilometre Temporary Control Zone implemented following the suspected Bluetongue case at a holding near Bangor, Co Down, guidance is available at this DAERA webpage: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bluetongue-situation-northern-ireland

27/11/2025

26/11/2025

🐑SHEEP SCAB INFORMATION EVENINGS🐑
Over the past week, AHWNI supported Sheep Scab information evenings kindly hosted by CAFRE. Dr. Stewart Burgess from the Moredun Research Institute spoke about his work with farmers to control sheep scab and also shared the latest findings on sheep scab. CAFRE advisers also gave practical advice on sheep dipping, including how even small-scale farmers can set up a safe and effective dipping system on farm.
Both evenings were highly informative, with important messages that every sheep farmer should hear.
If you weren’t able to attend in person, we would strongly encourage you to join the online webinar on Wednesday 26th November at 7.30pm: https://www.ufuni.org/event/sheep-scab-break-the-cycle/

25/11/2025

📢Farmers urged to check BVD statuses to avoid herd closures📢

Cattle farmers to check that all calves are tested promptly for BVD, to avoid herd closures by DAERA as new restrictions come in place on 1 December 2025. From that date and following 28 days’ notice by DAERA, movement restrictions to stop all moves in or out of a herd and any associated herds will be applied if there are 10 or more BVDUs more than 30 days of age present in the herd. https://tinyurl.com/bdewfcuy

21/11/2025

Sheep Scab: Break the Cycle. https://www.ufuni.org/event/sheep-scab-break-the-cycle/
CAFRE, in collaboration with industry partners, invites sheep farmers across Northern Ireland to attend upcoming sheep scab information evenings designed to improve awareness and control of this serious animal health issue. Events will feature expert insights from Dr Stewart Burgess of the Moredun Research Institute, a leading UK authority on sheep scab, alongside practical advice from CAFRE advisers on safe dipping practices and biosecurity.

Sessions will take place at 7:30pm at:
Loughry Campus: 18 November
Greenmount Campus: 19 November
Online: 26 November – please register to receive the link

13/11/2025

Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland/ Animal Health Ireland Joint Press Release https://tinyurl.com/f3f76n

13/11/2025

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA is advising herd keepers that from 1 December 2025, the threshold for applying Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) herd restrictions will reduce to 10 untested animals (BVDUs) over 30 days old within a herd. More info: https://daera-ni.gov.uk/news/reduced-threshold-bvd-herd-restrictions-take-effect-1-december

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