The chief executive of the National Beef Association (NBA), Neil Shand has warned that farmers in some areas of Britain are seeing a lot of losses due to abortions caused by bluetongue virus (BTV).

In a video message, Shand quoted the example of a Shropshire farm which has now seen around 20 abortions.

“These figures are quite scary. Have a discussion with your private vet and then consider vaccination before you turn your cows out this spring,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

A total of 318 cases of BTV have been confirmed across Britain since 1 July 2025, with a further five cases detected in NI.

Derogation

There have been no new cases in NI this year and last Thursday DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announced that the department had availed of a derogation under EU law which allows trade in live animals across the Irish border to resume.

A temporary control zone in Co Down has also been lifted.

I appeal to all farmers to source responsibly

The derogation permits free movement of susceptible animals from BTV affected EU Member States which have BTV-3 only.

The derogation does not apply to movements of live animals from Britain to NI.

With controls eased, Minister Muir warned that it does increase the risk of BTV reappearing in NI. “I appeal to all farmers to source responsibly, discuss BTV-3 vaccination of stock with their private veterinary practitioner and continue to report to DAERA any suspicion of BTV,” he said.