Phase One
This Phase runs from 22 September 2010 to 31 March 2011 and provides support for testing of breeding herds and an awareness programme.
Eligibility
A farm is eligible for support under this scheme provided that they:
- Are wholly located in Scotland
- Have a breeding herd. (This need not be the main part of the business)
- Are not at their State Aids de minimis limit of €7,500 over a rolling three-year period
This scheme closes on 31 March 2011.
Support Available
There are two types of activity for which support is available - testing, and the provision of advice to those who have had a test in the previous calendar year, both subject to the conditions below.
- This support is only available through veterinary practices.
- Test results will be returned to the Scottish Government so that we can understand the extent and geographical spread of the virus.
Testing
£36 is available to subsidise the cost of a screening test. The means five cattle will be tested in a single managed unit within a herd. It is recommended that farmers get all their other units screened at the same time.
If this screening tests shows signs of BVD, an additional £72 is available to subsidise the cost of testing individual cattle to identify any Persistently Infected animals, and to provide advice on tackling BVD.
This means a maximum of £108 is available to each farm with a breeding herd.
Pre-Tested Herds - Provision of Advice
£36 of support for veterinary advice is available where:
- A herd or managed unit has been screened and tested in the past calendar year; and,
- There have not been movements into the herd or managed unit except from a certified BVD-free herd or BVD free animal. Where there has been movement onto farm of animals of unknown BVD status or known infection, a new test will be required
The £36 is available to the veterinary practice to provide advice to the farmer on how to control BVD in their herd. This is regardless of the result of the test.