Background
In 2018, Miller Research were appointed to conduct the mid-term and final evaluations of the Gwaredu BVD programme, a national initiative aimed at eradicating Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) from Welsh cattle herds.
Led by Coleg Sir Gâr and delivered in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), the Gwaredu BVD programme formed part of the Welsh Government’s broader Animal Health and Welfare Framework. Supported by Rural Development Programme funding, the initiative provided veterinary testing and guidance to thousands of cattle farms across Wales, aiming to reduce disease prevalence and ultimately improve herd health and farm resilience.
Evaluation
Miller Research were commissioned to evaluate the programme’s implementation and to assess outcomes and impacts, both behavioural and economic. The evaluation addressed a range of questions related to programme effectiveness, stakeholder experiences, and progress toward policy objectives. It also sought to assess behavioural change among farmers, including adoption of biosecurity measures and disease control practices, as well as the financial implications of eradicating BVD on individual farms and at a national level.
A multi-method approach was adopted for both evaluation phases. Monthly telephone interviews were conducted with a rolling sample of 20 farms across Wales to assess veterinary service delivery and farmer satisfaction. These were complemented by qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, analysis of monitoring data and laboratory turnaround times, and economic modelling of BVD control outcomes. The evaluation also monitored key performance indicators of participating veterinary practices and diagnostic laboratories.
The evaluation found that the Gwaredu BVD programme was highly successful in delivering widespread uptake of BVD screening and generating tangible awareness among farmers. The project facilitated increased biosecurity behaviours and stimulated changes in herd management practices, with evidence of growing commitment to BVD control within the sector. Veterinary delivery partners were largely commended for their role in farmer engagement, while the programme’s integration with bovine TB testing visits was cited as an effective entry point for participation.
The final evaluation, completed in 2023, concluded that the Gwaredu BVD programme made a significant contribution to the health of the national herd and provided a scalable model for future animal disease control initiatives in Wales. Key recommendations focused on ensuring continuity of farmer support, embedding BVD eradication into routine veterinary practice, and strengthening future disease surveillance frameworks .
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