Ireland has moved a step closer to becoming BVD-free, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

The Department of Agriculture submitted the national plan for BVD eradication to the European Commission. Approval has recently been granted.

This is an important stagepost on the way to seeking and obtaining BVD-free status for the country.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue could then move towards ending the tissue tag testing regime.

Prior to the introduction of BVD testing and controls in 2012, the disease was costing Irish farmers over €100m annually, equal to the total cost of the control programme over its lifespan to date.