Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has signalled an increase in the Department of Agriculture’s surveillance testing for the bluetongue virus after the confirmation of two cases in Co Down and with the disease suspected in 44 more cattle.
This enhanced surveillance includes on-farm blood sampling of cattle and sheep, testing livestock submitted to regional veterinary laboratories, sampling of cattle routinely slaughtered at meat plants and encouraging farmers to report any suspect cases to their regional veterinary office.
“My Department has been carrying out intensive surveillance for bluetongue across the country for two years now and that surveillance is being ramped up in light of this finding,” Minister Heydon said.
“If bluetongue does arrive here, my goal is clear: to find it quickly and to eradicate it if possible, so as to protect Irish livestock and Irish farmers from the losses which this disease causes.”
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has indicated that there is “no intention to cull animals at this time” as Northern Ireland attempts to assess whether there are more cases than the two confirmed on Wednesday.
The evidence presented to the UFU so far suggests that incidence of the virus is “highly localised” and “driven by unusual midge activity”.
Financial impacts
Minister Heydon said that the additional suspect cases on the Co Down farm are “most unfortunate. Farmers in the area and indeed across the island will be rightly concerned at these developments.”
“If bluetongue becomes established in any part of the island, it presents a threat of spread to other areas next spring and summer.”
The Minister reiterated that bluetongue does not have any implications for food safety or human health.
“This disease does have a real impact on farmers whose flocks or herds are affected due to the financial and emotional stress which accompanies the animal health and welfare consequences,” he added.
“It is important to note that, because bluetongue is spread by midges, disease spread via insects is much less likely in the winter and early spring months.”
Read more
Bluetongue in NI confirmed as more suspected
Farming braces for bluetongue
Bluetongue outbreak would not see export ban
Q&A: what is bluetongue and how exactly does it spread
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has signalled an increase in the Department of Agriculture’s surveillance testing for the bluetongue virus after the confirmation of two cases in Co Down and with the disease suspected in 44 more cattle.
This enhanced surveillance includes on-farm blood sampling of cattle and sheep, testing livestock submitted to regional veterinary laboratories, sampling of cattle routinely slaughtered at meat plants and encouraging farmers to report any suspect cases to their regional veterinary office.
“My Department has been carrying out intensive surveillance for bluetongue across the country for two years now and that surveillance is being ramped up in light of this finding,” Minister Heydon said.
“If bluetongue does arrive here, my goal is clear: to find it quickly and to eradicate it if possible, so as to protect Irish livestock and Irish farmers from the losses which this disease causes.”
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has indicated that there is “no intention to cull animals at this time” as Northern Ireland attempts to assess whether there are more cases than the two confirmed on Wednesday.
The evidence presented to the UFU so far suggests that incidence of the virus is “highly localised” and “driven by unusual midge activity”.
Financial impacts
Minister Heydon said that the additional suspect cases on the Co Down farm are “most unfortunate. Farmers in the area and indeed across the island will be rightly concerned at these developments.”
“If bluetongue becomes established in any part of the island, it presents a threat of spread to other areas next spring and summer.”
The Minister reiterated that bluetongue does not have any implications for food safety or human health.
“This disease does have a real impact on farmers whose flocks or herds are affected due to the financial and emotional stress which accompanies the animal health and welfare consequences,” he added.
“It is important to note that, because bluetongue is spread by midges, disease spread via insects is much less likely in the winter and early spring months.”
Read more
Bluetongue in NI confirmed as more suspected
Farming braces for bluetongue
Bluetongue outbreak would not see export ban
Q&A: what is bluetongue and how exactly does it spread
SHARING OPTIONS