Belgium extends the IBR vaccination period and focuses on accelerated removal of positive animals

After Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) was detected at a number of cattle farms this spring, the Belgian government is extending the option to vaccinate cattle against the disease. Affected companies are also required to cull positive animals.

Initially, the period for vaccination expired on April 1, 2024. This has now been extended until April 1, 2025. The extension only applies to companies that have become infected and can thus prevent further infections and to companies that are free of IBR with vaccination.

Companies that lose the ‘IBR-free’ status after May 1 must remove positive animals to the slaughterhouse within ninety days. The intention for other companies is also to eventually remove positive animals and then achieve the ‘IBR in transition’ status. The ultimate goal is ‘IBR-free’ status.

With the accelerated disposal, Belgium wants to obtain the official ‘IBR-free’ status in 2027. For the time being, veal calf farms and finishing farms must at least have ‘infected’ status. Additional measures will follow for this.

Higher contribution

The government has allocated 2 million euros for the current measures. This is necessary to cover the costs of the accelerated disposal. In addition, the contribution for cattle farmers to the Animal Health Fund will be increased.

Three new infections were detected this week. In one case it concerns a cattle with IBR symptoms on a finishing farm. Two other companies, in East and West Flanders, came to light after they bought cattle from a company that later turned out to be infected. The contact companies were then traced. The virus had now spread at both companies.