European Re-emergence Highlights High Risk for Scottish Pig Sector

A new assessment (APHA Report #40) has confirmed that African Swine Fever (ASF) remains an evolving threat to the Scottish pig industry. With the virus re-emerging in previously "clean" areas of Germany and ongoing outbreaks in Spain, Scottish keepers are urged to review their biosecurity and contingency plans immediately.

Key Developments in Europe

• Germany Re-emergence: Saxony, which was declared ASF-free in February 2026, lost its status on April 1 after a new case was detected in wild boar. Cases also continue in Western Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia).
• Spanish Outbreaks: Authorities in Catalonia are still managing multiple outbreaks in wild boar, implementing intensive population control and fencing to prevent spread into domestic herds.
• Transmission Insights: A recent study in Romania reveals that 60% of farm infections originate from other farms, while 27% come from wild boar. The study also proposed that around 40% of infections to wild boars originated on farms which underscores the importance of preventing contact between farms and between farms and wild boar (via people, vehicles, or equipment), with good biosecurity including fencing.

What This Means for Scotland

The Scottish Government updated its biosecurity guidance on March 27, 2026, emphasizing that "human-mediated" spread is the single biggest threat to our national herd.

Scottish Government have now closed the Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory for 2025; no further amendments or submissions are being accepted.

The inventory was open from 1 December 2025 until midnight on 30 January 2026.

From 1st February 2026 - Mandatory BVD testing for all calves born to dams that were moved onto the holding during pregnancy.

If an in-calf heifer or cow moves onto your holding, its calf must be BVD antigen/virus tested and the result uploaded before it is 40 days old, or before it is moved off the holding – whichever occurs first.  This requirement applies to calves born on or after 1st February 2026. These calves cannot leave the herd without an individual antigen/virus BVD negative status.

Failure to test these calves within the required timescale, will result in the holding status being downgraded to Not Negative (or Positive if a Persistently Infected animal is on the holding).

The most cost-effective way of BVD testing young calves is by tissue tagging.  

•    Order BVD management tags in advance
•    Send samples to the lab promptly
•    Max three tags advised per animal
  
Please note the above is in addition to your routine testing requirements. 

 
From 1st February 2026 - Further restrictions for breeding herds that have not completed the Compulsory BVD Investigation (CBI) within the required 13 months of entering:

•    Cattle movement/s onto the holding will be restricted
•    The CPH will be publicly listed on ScotEID

For the official guidance on the BVD eradication scheme - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-bvd-eradication-scheme
 

Please note that the ScotEID website will be down for some minor system updates on Friday 23 January. The system will be unavailable between 23:50 – 01:30.

Scotland along with England, and Wales were recently recognised as BSE Negligible Risk (NR) status by the WOAH and the EU.  Northern Ireland and Jersey achieved BSE NR status in 2017 and 2020 respectively.  However, the Isle of Man and Guernsey do not currently have BSE NR status but are intending to apply for it.

There are currently 460 Isle of Man cattle in Scotland on 59 farms.  There are also a number of cattle from the Isle of Man and Guernsey on English, and Welsh farms.  These animals and their carcases require a different dressing procedure to NR cattle. 

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) have confirmed that none of their members have said they will not accept cattle from the Isle of Man.  What they have pointed out is that these cattle will require to be dealt with separately from NR cattle.  This adds complication and potential costs for the abattoir in handling these cattle.  Keepers that have Isle of Man cattle should speak to their chosen abattoir first before consigning animals.

For more detailed information please refer to the information note that was sent out by Defra:
11/12/2025 BSE Risk status: Cattle from Guernsey and Isle of Man - Industry briefing

The ScotEID Office is open with a limited number of staff due to disruption caused by the weather.  Please be patient if you are trying to call the office and if we are unable to answer your call please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you.  Alternatively, please email help@scoteid.com.

The Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory for 2025 is now open and available for completion at www.scoteid.com/survey

Sheep and Goat keepers have been sent an email from the Animal Health and Welfare Disease Prevention Team within Scottish Government.

The SGAI is available to complete via the online survey only. More information is available in the guidance. The survey closes on the 30th January 2026, please ensure your Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory is completed by then.

Should you have any queries relating to the survey that are not connected to completing it, please email sheepandgoatinventory@gov.scot

Click here to read the Scottish Government official notice to complete the annual inventory.

Scottish Government have announced their intention to remove the calving interval conditionality for some small herd producers.

“The 410-day interval will remain the same in 2026. But we intend to establish a derogation for the calving interval condition to any businesses claiming 10 calves or fewer in a scheme year.

This will mean that those claiming support for 10 calves or fewer in 2026 will not need to meet the calving interval requirement. This change, which is subject to legislation, will also apply in future years.”

If you have any questions around these requirements you should refer to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) quick guide, the Agricultural Reform Route Map (ruralpayments.org) or contact your local RPID office.

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is one of the most economically damaging cattle diseases in Scotland, causing abortion, infertility, poor performance, and death. To build on the Scottish Governments industry-led scheme to eradicate BVD, Phase 6 of the eradication scheme begins on 1 July 2025, introducing key changes for all herd types.

Official guidance on the BVD eradication programme - BVD Phase 6

What’s Changing from 1 July 2025

• Persistently Infected (PI) animals on a Non-Breeding holding must be separately housed from the first positive test. If a PI animal is still present within the keepership after 40 days, the CPH will be listed on the PI locator on ScotEID (in line with breeding herds).
• BVD management tags: BVD sampling from birth can now be carried out using management tags, although official tags are still recommended.
• Change to when ON movement restrictions begin: a 40 day period is allowed after the upload of a BVD Positive antigen/virus result, before ON movement restrictions are imposed. This period allows time for retesting of the PI by the vet, and/or removal of the animal. It is advised that the retest is carried out at least 3 weeks after the first sample was taken. Note: PI animals must continue to be housed separately from the first test.

Further to the above, there will be additional changes from 1 February 2026 as detailed on the BVD Phase 6 – Important Changes leaflet, which has been sent out to all cattle keepers.

ScotEID is pleased to help promote a new research initiative led by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Nottingham, which aims to improve how cattle disease is managed across all four nations of the UK. Please note: It’s specifically aimed at those who keep cattle.

The project team is calling on cattle keepers to share their experience and knowledge to help shape better disease control strategies. Information about the project can be found at www.bvdplatform.org

They’re asking for just 15 minutes of your time to complete a short questionnaire — your input could make a real difference to the future health of our national herd.

Take part and help inform this important work:

👉 Click here to access the questionnaire

Please note: ScotEID is not involved in conducting this research but is sharing this opportunity on behalf of SRUC and the University of Nottingham.