DEFA introduces Bovine Viral Diahorrea order

The Department of Environment Food and Agriculture is launching a Bovine Viral Diahorrea Order to help control the risk of infection amongst cattle.

It's estimated the disease costs £750,000 per year to cure - this means the average dairy and beef herd loses £13,000 and £4,600 a year.

Last year 7150 calves were tested, with only 55 infection cases reported. Any infected calves rarely reach adulthood with 50 per cent dying before reaching a year old.

Chief veterinary officer Stuart Jaques told us why BVD is such a deadly condition: