Exports of cattle and sheep out of Northern Ireland to farms for breeding or further finishing have been suspended following a suspected case of bluetongue virus.
A 20km temporary restriction zone (TCZ) has been put in place around the affected farm, which is located near Bangor, Co Down.
“Moves within the TCZ must be licenced and will be to direct slaughter only,” Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has said.
The ban on exports also extends to goats, deer and alpacas.
Live exports from Northern Ireland for breeding or finishing on farms in Ireland have been banned. However, the export of animals for direct slaughter to Ireland is permitted once the movement is notified 48 hours in advance.
Direct slaughter
“Moves to direct slaughter only from NI to the EU require pre-notification 48 hours in advance to the recipient member state,” DAERA said, adding that it may take time to gain approval for other member states, especially if the move is to anywhere other than Ireland.
“Currently direct slaughter moves to [Britain] are not permitted. Guidance for export certification will be updated as soon as possible.
“This is an emerging situation so advice may change in the coming days,” DAERA added.
Read more
Suspected bluetongue case in Co Down under investigation
Disease risks to farm animals greater than at any stage in recent years
Exports of cattle and sheep out of Northern Ireland to farms for breeding or further finishing have been suspended following a suspected case of bluetongue virus.
A 20km temporary restriction zone (TCZ) has been put in place around the affected farm, which is located near Bangor, Co Down.
“Moves within the TCZ must be licenced and will be to direct slaughter only,” Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has said.
The ban on exports also extends to goats, deer and alpacas.
Live exports from Northern Ireland for breeding or finishing on farms in Ireland have been banned. However, the export of animals for direct slaughter to Ireland is permitted once the movement is notified 48 hours in advance.
Direct slaughter
“Moves to direct slaughter only from NI to the EU require pre-notification 48 hours in advance to the recipient member state,” DAERA said, adding that it may take time to gain approval for other member states, especially if the move is to anywhere other than Ireland.
“Currently direct slaughter moves to [Britain] are not permitted. Guidance for export certification will be updated as soon as possible.
“This is an emerging situation so advice may change in the coming days,” DAERA added.
Read more
Suspected bluetongue case in Co Down under investigation
Disease risks to farm animals greater than at any stage in recent years
SHARING OPTIONS