BCVA Board Member, Rob Howe, has collaborated with colleagues in the Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) group to raise grave concerns for UK cattle farmers, following the announcement from MSD Animal Health last week (16 July 2026) that the production of Bovilis Huskvac, an oral vaccine which protects young and adult cattle against lungworm, will cease from the end of the 2027 season.
Lungworm remains one of the most difficult cattle parasites to manage. Unlike many gut worm challenges, disease can appear rapidly and unpredictably. Clinical signs, such as coughing, often emerge after the disease has progressed and outbreaks can have serious consequences for animal welfare, milk production and growth rates.
“For years cattle farmers have been encouraged to use fewer medicines, target treatments more carefully and build healthier, more resilient grazing systems. The planned withdrawal of Bovilis Huskvac, the UK’s only licensed lungworm vaccine, risks taking away one of the key tools that have helped many farmers do exactly that,” says Rob Howe.
“Where lungworm risk can be controlled effectively by vaccination, farmers are often more comfortable using integrated parasite management (IPM) techniques such as grazing management, faecal egg counts, immunity development and targeted treatments for other gastrointestinal worms. Remove that safety net, and many producers will feel compelled to return to the more precautionary and frequent use of other wormer treatments, at a time when resistance to these products is being reported.
“COWS urges industry, government, researchers, veterinary organisations and manufacturers to work collaboratively and urgently explore pathways that could preserve future access to lungworm vaccination, which will support continued development of sustainable parasite control in UK cattle.”
BCVA will keep members up to date as any new information becomes available.
