Herd keepers in Northern Ireland will face tighter rules on untested cattle from 1 June 2026.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir stated that the threshold for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea restrictions will fall to five untested animals over 30 days old.

Keepers who reach this threshold will receive a warning letter requiring all untested animals to be tested within 28 days or face movement restrictions.

Under the rules, restricted herds will be barred from all movements except to direct slaughter or disposal. Associated herds sharing disease risk will also face restrictions.

The change completes a phased tightening of measures that began on 1 February 2025. It follows earlier progress in reducing BVD prevalence across the cattle population.

Muir said most keepers already test promptly and that no herd needs to be restricted if action is taken in advance.

Details on the scheme and how to avoid restrictions are published on the DAERA website.