TASAH: the vet visits the Department pays for, and the BVD supports

The service is run by Animal Health Ireland. "Under the Service, veterinary practitioners are funded to deliver the activity in each of the areas below." But your vet must have done the TASAH training for that disease.

Who can get it — the full rules

"All Irish herds and flocks are eligible to take part in the scheme." The catch is the vet. "However, only veterinary practitioners who have undertaken TASAH training, delivered by Animal Health Ireland, in relation to the relevant disease will be eligible to provide the Service."

Animal Health Ireland publishes a map of trained vets on each programme page, so check your own vet is on it.

The consults on offer in 2026

Parasite control. "The TASAH will fund a veterinary farm visit and one faecal egg count." It covers cattle, sheep and horses in 2026, but farmer registrations are paused for now because of demand.

Dairy biosecurity (Bioscore Dairy). A biosecurity consult for dairy farms is available for 2026 through an expression of interest form. "Please note that this is an expression of interest only and does not guarantee availability."

CellCheck dry cow consult. Your vet helps plan a selective dry cow strategy. To qualify, your "Average bulk milk tank SCC for the last 12 months is <200,000 cells/mL." You also need "At least 4 whole herd milk recordings in the last 12 months."

If you get a BVD-positive calf

"All herds that have one or more positive or inconclusive results for BVD virus are required to undergo a BVD herd investigation." The herd is restricted straight away. The BVD Helpdesk will contact you to pick the TASAH-trained vet who does the investigation.

The whole-herd blood test and the vaccination of breeding stock are both funded. "Funded vaccination of female animals over 12 months of age and breeding bulls also must be carried out." Restrictions lift only once the positive animals are gone and all three steps are done.

The BVD payments

For beef herds, "A payment of €320 if the animal is removed within 10 days of the first positive or inconclusive test." Between day 11 and day 21 it falls to €30.

For dairy herds, "A payment of €200 if the dairy female or dairy cross animal is removed within 10 days of the first positive or inconclusive BVD test." It also falls to €30 between day 11 and day 21.

Every herd also gets help with tag testing. "A payment of €3.50 per calf, up to a maximum of 25 calves per herd, will be paid automatically based on calf registrations."

How to get a TASAH consult

Things to watch

"Tissue tag testing of all calves remains compulsory in 2026." Retesting a positive or inconclusive calf is no longer allowed, so do not wait for a second result before removing it.

Common questions

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