The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has said that current cool temperatures open the door to the containment and eradication of the bluetongue virus from Ireland.
The claim came after Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon stated on Saturday that his Department had confirmed an outbreak of bluetongue serotype-3 in a herd in Co Wexford.
The bluetongue virus is spread primarily by biting midges whose activity drops significantly between November and April.
It affects animal health, but poses no threat to public safety.
IFA president Francie Gorman expressed disappointment with the disease’s discovery in Ireland and called on the farming sector to activate its highest level of vigilance.
Gorman said that while investigations are ongoing, restrictions will only apply on the farm that experienced the outbreak, leaving other farmers free to vigilantly market animals within the country.
“The lower temperatures and reduced midge activity, which is the main disease vector at this time of year, does allow trade to continue and potentially eradicate this disease,” the IFA leader said.
These comments around eradication were echoed by IFA animal health chair David Hall, who stated: “At this time of year, vector activity is low, which creates potential for the disease to be contained and eradicated.”
Trade issues and costs
The IFA has said that the Department of Agriculture has resolved some of the issues concerning live exports from countries which have seen the bluetongue serotype-3 virus.
The Department must now ensure that Ireland’s international trade certifications are amended as needed to allow the Irish live export trade to continue, drawing on other EU member states’ solutions to such issues through bilateral trade agreements if necessary, according to the association.
Francie Gorman flagged the additional costs that may be incurred when certifying livestock for export as an issue that remains to be solved.
Hall added: “Trade disruption and potential production losses on farms would impact directly and solely on farmers, if the disease spreads.”
The IFA has said it will engage directly with Minister Heydon and his officials to ensure the impact of bluetongue and its disease controls are kept to an absolute minimum for farmers.
Read more
Bluetongue found in animal on Co Wexford farm
In pictures: symptoms of bluetongue in cattle and sheep
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has said that current cool temperatures open the door to the containment and eradication of the bluetongue virus from Ireland.
The claim came after Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon stated on Saturday that his Department had confirmed an outbreak of bluetongue serotype-3 in a herd in Co Wexford.
The bluetongue virus is spread primarily by biting midges whose activity drops significantly between November and April.
It affects animal health, but poses no threat to public safety.
IFA president Francie Gorman expressed disappointment with the disease’s discovery in Ireland and called on the farming sector to activate its highest level of vigilance.
Gorman said that while investigations are ongoing, restrictions will only apply on the farm that experienced the outbreak, leaving other farmers free to vigilantly market animals within the country.
“The lower temperatures and reduced midge activity, which is the main disease vector at this time of year, does allow trade to continue and potentially eradicate this disease,” the IFA leader said.
These comments around eradication were echoed by IFA animal health chair David Hall, who stated: “At this time of year, vector activity is low, which creates potential for the disease to be contained and eradicated.”
Trade issues and costs
The IFA has said that the Department of Agriculture has resolved some of the issues concerning live exports from countries which have seen the bluetongue serotype-3 virus.
The Department must now ensure that Ireland’s international trade certifications are amended as needed to allow the Irish live export trade to continue, drawing on other EU member states’ solutions to such issues through bilateral trade agreements if necessary, according to the association.
Francie Gorman flagged the additional costs that may be incurred when certifying livestock for export as an issue that remains to be solved.
Hall added: “Trade disruption and potential production losses on farms would impact directly and solely on farmers, if the disease spreads.”
The IFA has said it will engage directly with Minister Heydon and his officials to ensure the impact of bluetongue and its disease controls are kept to an absolute minimum for farmers.
Read more
Bluetongue found in animal on Co Wexford farm
In pictures: symptoms of bluetongue in cattle and sheep
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