Continuing bluetongue outbreaks in French cattle mean vaccination and export restrictions remain in place in the country, but recent cases have been away from coasts close to the UK and Ireland.
Map of bluetongue cases recorded by the French authorities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Since the end of November, France has reported more than 50 new cases of the BTV-4 bluetongue strain in the east of the country. However, none of the cases have displayed clinical signs of the disease.
The new cases came from animals moved from the French island of Corsica rather than imports or transmission by known vectors such as insects.
This means that the disease is now unlikely to be eradicated in France, according to UK veterinary officers. Instead, France has imposed a restriction zone for both BTV-4 and BTV-8 strains over all mainland France.
ADVERTISEMENT
A total of 8,731 animals were moved from Corsica to other parts of France since an outbreak there last year.
Live trade
Trade between France and other EU member states may continue as long as cattle have been vaccinated or are naturally immune to the disease and their transport has been treated with insecticide.
Other member states may also import French animals under bilateral agreements where the animals haven’t been vaccinated or they aren’t naturally immune during the low vector activity season.
Authorities have reminded all livestock owners that they should source animals responsibly by working with their private veterinarians and livestock dealers to make sure animals are correctly vaccinated and protected prior to travel.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Since the end of November, France has reported more than 50 new cases of the BTV-4 bluetongue strain in the east of the country. However, none of the cases have displayed clinical signs of the disease.
The new cases came from animals moved from the French island of Corsica rather than imports or transmission by known vectors such as insects.
This means that the disease is now unlikely to be eradicated in France, according to UK veterinary officers. Instead, France has imposed a restriction zone for both BTV-4 and BTV-8 strains over all mainland France.
A total of 8,731 animals were moved from Corsica to other parts of France since an outbreak there last year.
Live trade
Trade between France and other EU member states may continue as long as cattle have been vaccinated or are naturally immune to the disease and their transport has been treated with insecticide.
Other member states may also import French animals under bilateral agreements where the animals haven’t been vaccinated or they aren’t naturally immune during the low vector activity season.
Authorities have reminded all livestock owners that they should source animals responsibly by working with their private veterinarians and livestock dealers to make sure animals are correctly vaccinated and protected prior to travel.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS