AHWNI launched the voluntary phase of the NI BVD eradication programme with almost 500 farmers attending meetings in Armagh, Ballymena, Ballynahinch, Cookstown, Enniskillen and Limavady. Presentations at each meeting included an introduction to AHWNI, the disease and details of the programme itself. Responses to a questionnaire at each meeting indicated that 61% intended to take part in the programme, 38% may do and only 1% did not intend to. 74% of farmers felt that the meetings improved their knowledge of BVD a lot, while a further 22% gained some additional information.