Following on from confirmation in 2024 that DAERA was looking at the potential to save money by ending a surveillance programme for Maedi Visna (MV) in NI, future control measures are “still under review”, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.

Answering a series of written questions from DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen, the DAERA minister said five flocks in NI are currently subject to movement restrictions and further testing for MV. Since an initial outbreak in November 2021, seven flocks have had their restrictions lifted, after managing to clear their animals of the virus.

NI has been able to retain MV-free status thanks to extensive testing, tracing and removal of infected animals by DAERA.

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In the first six months of the current 2025-2026 financial year, the costs of the MV programme include £60,830 spent on testing at the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and an estimated £100,000 to cover staff costs within DAERA veterinary service. There has also been £965 paid out as compensation to affected flock owners for culled sheep.

“The total costs incurred by the Department to date, since the first incursion of MV in November 2021, is estimated at £1,645,000,” added Minister Muir.

Spread

MV is a highly infectious viral disease often spread from mothers to lambs via milk. The main clinical signs are respiratory illness and mastitis. There are no treatments and no vaccines available.

Britain is not MV-free, so pedigree breeders are reliant on being members of accreditation schemes run by the likes of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to be able to sell their livestock to MV-free countries (including NI).

If DAERA was to pull out of a surveillance programme, the fear within the local sheep industry is that MV would gradually start to take hold in NI. Local pedigree breeders could join the SRUC scheme, but that won’t stop the virus spreading in non-accredited flocks.

“The situation remains under constant review with officials continuing to engage with industry stakeholders, the SRUC and colleagues in the Republic of Ireland,” said Minister Muir.

“No final recommendations have been made at this time, and consequently, no decisions have been reached,” he added.