It is critical that everything is done to prevent bluetongue disease from spreading, Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) animal health chair TJ Maher has said following a suspected case of bluetongue in Northern Ireland.
On Saturday night, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed that vets were investigating a suspected case of the virus on a farm in Bangor, Co Down.
“At this time of year, vector activity is low, which creates potential for the disease to be contained and eradicated,” Maher said.
“Trade disruption and potential production losses on farms would impact directly and solely on farmers, if the disease spreads,” he said.
The IFA had called on the Department of Agriculture in Ireland throughout the year to have vaccines available for emergency use and have them in stock should farmers need to use them.
Maher said the Department must immediately move to have bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV 3) vaccines licensed and available for use.
Trade
IFA president Francie Gorman said that everybody in farming had worked very diligently to avoid this scenario over the last 18 months since the virus was first detected in England.
“Farmers are actively playing their part in monitoring livestock for any signs of the disease and reporting any suspicions to their vets and the Department,” he said.
The IFA president said the Department of Agriculture must work closely with DAERA in Northern Ireland to contain this outbreak.
Gorman said most EU member states with BTV 3 have overcome the issues with live exports through bilateral trade arrangements. The Department of Agriculture must immediately move to have trade from Ireland facilitated should BTV 3 be found here, he said, adding that there cannot be disruption to vital trade.
Read more
Bluetongue disease: what it is and how does it spread?
Suspected bluetongue case in Co Down under investigation
It is critical that everything is done to prevent bluetongue disease from spreading, Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) animal health chair TJ Maher has said following a suspected case of bluetongue in Northern Ireland.
On Saturday night, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed that vets were investigating a suspected case of the virus on a farm in Bangor, Co Down.
“At this time of year, vector activity is low, which creates potential for the disease to be contained and eradicated,” Maher said.
“Trade disruption and potential production losses on farms would impact directly and solely on farmers, if the disease spreads,” he said.
The IFA had called on the Department of Agriculture in Ireland throughout the year to have vaccines available for emergency use and have them in stock should farmers need to use them.
Maher said the Department must immediately move to have bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV 3) vaccines licensed and available for use.
Trade
IFA president Francie Gorman said that everybody in farming had worked very diligently to avoid this scenario over the last 18 months since the virus was first detected in England.
“Farmers are actively playing their part in monitoring livestock for any signs of the disease and reporting any suspicions to their vets and the Department,” he said.
The IFA president said the Department of Agriculture must work closely with DAERA in Northern Ireland to contain this outbreak.
Gorman said most EU member states with BTV 3 have overcome the issues with live exports through bilateral trade arrangements. The Department of Agriculture must immediately move to have trade from Ireland facilitated should BTV 3 be found here, he said, adding that there cannot be disruption to vital trade.
Read more
Bluetongue disease: what it is and how does it spread?
Suspected bluetongue case in Co Down under investigation
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