IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell has urged farmers who are considering the importation of animals to think long and hard of the implications, not only for their own herds but for the country, before taking that risk.

Buetongue disease was found on Thursday in a French heifer brought into Northern Ireland.

Farrell said this was a reminder of the risks associated with importing animals from regions of lower health status and called on the Minister for Agriculture and Department officials to be vigilant on all imports, and to ensure screening on arrival.

Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has urged farmers "not to import animals or germplasm (semen or ova) from bluetongue-affected countries". These include France, Austria and parts of central Europe.

When animals are imported from those regions, they must be isolated until the authorities clear them.

DAERA said the insect-borne disease affects all ruminants and the following clinical signs are most visible in sheep:

  • Fever.
  • Swelling of the head and neck.
  • Lameness.
  • Inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and eyes.
  • Drooling.
  • Haemorrhages in the skin and other tissues.
  • Respiratory problems, such as froth in the lungs and an inability to swallow.
  • High mortality rate.
  • Discoloration and swelling of the tongue (rare).
  • Photographs are available to help identify the disease.

    Cattle carrying the virus may show no apparent sign of illness. However, the following may appear in cattle and goats:

  • Nasal discharge.
  • Swelling and ulceration of the mouth.
  • Swollen teats.
  • Suspected cases are confirmed by laboratory tests. An outbreak is declared only after circulation of the virus between several animals has been confirmed. This has not been the case since the imported case was detected in Northern Ireland.

    Read more

    Bluetongue detected in Northern Ireland