The health situation regarding Bovine Viral Diarrhea (DNC) in France is currently considered favorable. To maintain this status and progress towards regaining disease-free status, vaccination remains mandatory in Vaccination Zone II until December 31, 2026.
From October 1, 2026, the northern part of Haute-Garonne and the entire Vaccination Zone I (ZVI) of Occitanie will begin an eight-month period of disease-free status recovery, extending until June 1, 2027. During this phase, cattle vaccination will be prohibited, animal movements will remain regulated, and a surveillance campaign will be conducted to confirm the absence of virus circulation.
The sanitary pass (LPS) procedure for moving animals out of ZVI will be adapted. Animals that are validly vaccinated or immunized (vaccinated for more than 28 days and less than 15 months, or calves under 6 months benefiting from maternal colostral immunity) can obtain an LPS under specific conditions: a favorable clinical examination by a health veterinarian within 72 hours prior to movement, and validation by the DDPP 31 services. Transport vehicles must be sealed, disinfected, and disinsectized.
For animals that are not validly vaccinated or immunized (vaccinated for over 15 months, unvaccinated calves over 6 months, or never vaccinated animals), the LPS will be issued subject to a favorable negative PCR test result. These analyses, at the breeder's expense, will be performed by the accredited laboratory 31 EVA. The same requirements for transport vehicles and clinical examination will apply, along with validation by DDPP 31.
Regarding Vaccination Zone II (ZVII), the cessation of vaccination is scheduled for January 1, 2027, with disease-free status recovery anticipated by September 1, 2027. Vaccination will therefore be possible until the end of 2026, with a booster strongly recommended for animals vaccinated early in the year. Unlike ZVI, any animal not validly vaccinated will be prohibited from leaving Zone II until September 1, 2027, unless revaccination allows a shift to ZV1 before December 31, 2026.
It is highly advisable to move to Vaccination Zone I to avoid restricting animals that will no longer be protected after August 31, 2027, such as calves born after October 1 who will lose their immunity by March 31, 2026. Information from the GDS (Animal Health Defense Group) is available for further details.
