Three vaccines for the bluetongue virus have been approved for use in Northern Ireland.
Minister at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) of Northern Ireland Andrew Muir announced on Wednesday that the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines have been permitted for use in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing.
The vaccines are intended to reduce the severity of clinical signs and mortality in affected animals, though they do not prevent infection or transmission.
Although the vaccines have been permitted, the island of Ireland remains free of the virus.
Minister Muir said DEARA is continuing to take all necessary actions to protect Northern Ireland from bluetongue.
Framework
“This includes our recently published BTV-3 disease control framework. While we remain BTV-free, I have now taken the decision to allow the use of the BTV-3 vaccines to give our farmers and livestock keepers an additional safeguard alongside our surveillance, prompt detection and control.
“It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect their flocks and herds,” he added.
DAERA said the decision brings Northern Ireland into line with the voluntary licensed use of BTV-3 vaccines in Scotland, Wales and England.
It added that it reflects the evolving risk picture and demand for tools that can help build resilience against animal disease threats.
Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher advised that guidance is available on the DAERA website to farmers, veterinary surgeons and the wider industry on how the vaccine licensing process will work in practice.
“We continue to urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for the signs of BTV as we enter the high-risk period and advise them to contact their private veterinary practitioner should they have any concerns,” he said.
As of yet, no bluetongue vaccines have been approved for use in the Republic of Ireland.
Vaccines
Vaccination for BTV-3 has been authorised in Britain and other EU countries.
Three vaccines have now obtained European marketing authorisation for use in exceptional circumstances:
Syvazul BTV 3 (sheep). Bluevac 3 (sheep and cattle). Bultavo 3 (sheep and cattle).From 1 July 2025, the restricted zone for bluetongue was extended to cover all of England, which resulted in movements being permitted without a bluetongue licence or pre-movement test in England, as per current control measures.
On the back of this, Scotland and Wales updated their bluetongue guidance. From 1 July, livestock required movement licences to go from England into Scotland and Wales.
Any susceptible ruminants going to Wales will require a specific movement licence and a valid pre-movement test.
Three vaccines for the bluetongue virus have been approved for use in Northern Ireland.
Minister at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) of Northern Ireland Andrew Muir announced on Wednesday that the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines have been permitted for use in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing.
The vaccines are intended to reduce the severity of clinical signs and mortality in affected animals, though they do not prevent infection or transmission.
Although the vaccines have been permitted, the island of Ireland remains free of the virus.
Minister Muir said DEARA is continuing to take all necessary actions to protect Northern Ireland from bluetongue.
Framework
“This includes our recently published BTV-3 disease control framework. While we remain BTV-free, I have now taken the decision to allow the use of the BTV-3 vaccines to give our farmers and livestock keepers an additional safeguard alongside our surveillance, prompt detection and control.
“It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect their flocks and herds,” he added.
DAERA said the decision brings Northern Ireland into line with the voluntary licensed use of BTV-3 vaccines in Scotland, Wales and England.
It added that it reflects the evolving risk picture and demand for tools that can help build resilience against animal disease threats.
Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher advised that guidance is available on the DAERA website to farmers, veterinary surgeons and the wider industry on how the vaccine licensing process will work in practice.
“We continue to urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for the signs of BTV as we enter the high-risk period and advise them to contact their private veterinary practitioner should they have any concerns,” he said.
As of yet, no bluetongue vaccines have been approved for use in the Republic of Ireland.
Vaccines
Vaccination for BTV-3 has been authorised in Britain and other EU countries.
Three vaccines have now obtained European marketing authorisation for use in exceptional circumstances:
Syvazul BTV 3 (sheep). Bluevac 3 (sheep and cattle). Bultavo 3 (sheep and cattle).From 1 July 2025, the restricted zone for bluetongue was extended to cover all of England, which resulted in movements being permitted without a bluetongue licence or pre-movement test in England, as per current control measures.
On the back of this, Scotland and Wales updated their bluetongue guidance. From 1 July, livestock required movement licences to go from England into Scotland and Wales.
Any susceptible ruminants going to Wales will require a specific movement licence and a valid pre-movement test.
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