Health Programmes

BVD

The compulsory phase of a Northern Ireland BVD eradication programme began on 1st March 2016. The programme is based on testing ear punch samples collected using tissue sample-enabled official identity or management tags for BVD virus.

Participating farmers now have access to the data recorded for their herd. The database can be accessed through the “Log In to AHWNI” box above. Log in details are the same as those for your government gateway account used to access NIFAIS Online via DAERA Online Services.

Johne's Disease

Johne’s disease is a slowly developing condition causing weight loss, reduced production, scour and death. In conjunction with Animal Health Ireland, AHWNI intends to develop a voluntary JD control programme that seeks to help herds without evidence of infection to maintain that status and herds where infection is present to deal with it effectively. AHWNI is in the process of employing a manager to develop and deliver this programme.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity is the prevention of disease causing agents entering or leaving any place where they can pose a risk to farm animals, other animals, humans, or the safety and quality of a food product. The term biosecurity encompasses both bioexclusion (keeping infectious diseases out of holdings) and biocontainment (reducing infectious disease threats within the farm). This series of information leaflets for farmers, advisors and veterinary practitioners aims to provide science-based, practical advice and guidelines on disease control that are easily implemented on farm.

Medicine Use

Parasite Control

Parasite control using appropriate strategies in cattle and sheep leads to significant benefits for animal health and welfare as well as improved productivity and increased profitability.

The range of management systems in place, the variation between animals in their ability to deal with infection and changing environmental conditions mean that controls should be tailored on individual units to deal with the relevant disease risks.

Sheep Health

The Sheep Health work programme aims to reduce the financial, welfare and environmental impacts of endemic sheep diseases and the effects they may have on supply chains.