Some 31,000 animals born since the start of compulsory BVD testing in January 2013 do not have a valid test result and are not compliant with the requirements of the legislation.

Figures from Animal Health Ireland show that the majority of these have never been tested, while a small number have had an initial empty result but have not yet been re-tested.

Around three-quarters of these were born this year.

The Department will be writing to non-compliant herds over the coming weeks.

There are around 9,500 animals born prior to the start of the programme in 2013 which are either male (the majority) or have not had a calf registered to them. These animals are not required to be tested under the legislation, and may currently be sold untested.

AHI will contact herds containing only pre-2013-born animals by text message to encourage farmers to have their animals tested.

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Untested BVD cattle slipping through the net