Farmers to get advice about new rules on BVD testing in seminar sponsored by Novartis Animal Health at AgriScot event
Frimley, 15th November 2011 – A seminar being held at the AgriScot event will give farmers information on how the Scottish Government intends to eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), and provide advice on the benefits of the eradication programme.
Speakers at the seminar, which is sponsored by Novartis Animal Health, will include Paul Burr, of Hi Health Herdcare cattle health scheme and farmer Bob Mitchell, who worked with Mr Burr and local practice Tay Valley Vets, in Perth, to control BVD on his farm.
“We will be talking about the practical steps we took to tackle BVD on a typical Scottish family-run dairy farm, and how we managed to get the problem under control over a period of 12 months,” said Mr Burr.
“The Scottish Government is beginning its compulsory testing programme in December this year, with a view to having all breeding herds in Scotland declare their BVD status by the end of 2012. Armed with this knowledge, the eradication of BVD in Scotland is a realistic prospect over the subsequent months.
“To beat this disease will require teamwork between vets and farmers and taking advantage of the expertise available in a CHeCS (Cattle Health Certification Standards) registered cattle scheme will prove a cost effective solution to BVD for most farms,” he said.
Mr Mitchell will be talking about the experience of dealing with BVD from the farmers’ perspective, from detecting calf rearing problems over a five year period, screening animals for the disease and implementing a vaccination programme.
Eugene Smyth, Novartis Brand Manager, said the seminar would provide a useful introduction for farmers and vets on how to implement a BVD eradication scheme on individual farms, beginning with the testing process, and going on through to biosecurity planning, vaccination and future planning.
“This seminar will be passing on vitally important information for livestock farmers and their veterinary surgeons about Scotland’s BVD eradication programme. Any farmer with cattle will have to think about taking action in the coming months,” he said.
Gordon Struth from the Scottish Government, will also be speaking, giving an outline of the eradication programme, and Novartis Animal Health vet Saul Harvey will be explaining the role of Bovidec BVD vaccine in BVD eradication.
AgriScot one of the UK’s leading farm business events and is being held at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh on 16th November 2011. For more information visit www.agriscot.co.uk The BVD Seminar will be held in Seminar Room 2 between 3.00pm and 4.00pm.
ends
For further information
Eugene Smyth
Brand Manager
+353 (0) 86 2549684
Henry Creagh
Kendalls
+44 (0)1394 610022
henry.creagh@kendallscom.co.uk
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About Novartis Animal Health
Novartis Animal Health researches, develops and commercialises leading animal treatments that meet the needs of pet owners, farmers and veterinarians. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and present in nearly 40 countries, Novartis Animal Health employs approximately 2,700 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ah.novartis.com
About Novartis
Novartis provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools. Novartis is the only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2010, the Group’s continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 50.6 billion, while approximately USD 9.1 billion (USD 8.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges) was invested in R&D throughout the Group. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 121,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
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