A derogation is available to allow live exports of cattle and calves to continue to EU destinations following the first case of bluetongue being identified in Ireland.
Documents presented by the Department of Agriculture in a stakeholder briefing on Monday and seen by the Irish Farmers Journal show that European Commission regulations allow for certain derogations whereby the member state of destination informs the Commission and other member states that the movements are in compliance with certain animal health conditions.
This facility is available for all EU member states if they choose to enact them.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that there is no specific conditions for bluetongue virus serotype-3 (BTV-3) in our main live export destinations of the Netherlands and Spain or other countries which import lower numbers that includes Croatia, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Belgium and Luxembourg.
For Italy and Portugal, if the serotype is present at the destination, then there are no specific conditions. However, member states can set certain conditions, as will be discussed below.
Calf trade
For the trade of calves with the Netherlands, Spain and France, there are no conditions listed for BTV-3.
With regards calf exports to Italy, if an animal is less than 90 days old, there is no requirement if BTV-3 is present at the destination, otherwise calves must be born from a vaccinated dam or vector protection and a PCR test is required.
A PCR test is a blood test to show the animal is free from bluetongue virus.
Exports to Northern Ireland and Britain are more complicated, as they are listed as third countries in terms of trade agreements.
The Department explains that BTV-3 vaccines do not have an established duration of immunity and therefore cannot be used as basis for certification currently.
The Department is currently engaging with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK regarding the export of animals (calves and lambs) not destined for direct slaughter.
For moves for direct slaughter, animals must come from establishments in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1 to 24) has not been reported during the last 30 days prior to the date of departure of the consignment.
The Polish authorities also have criteria required to be satisfied for the trade of animals less than 90 days of age as follows:
They must come from vaccinated dams: prior to service or at least 28 days prior to their birth and the dam remains at the time of parturition within the immunity period guaranteed in the specifications of the vaccine.Or they have been protected from vector attacks by insecticides or repellents for at least 14 days prior to the date of movement and they have been subjected during that period to a PCR test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 14 days after the onset of the protection against vector attacks.Older cattle
Many conditions for older cattle are similar to those required for calves. There are no conditions listed for the Netherlands, Spain and France.
For Italy, animals greater than 90 days of age face no requirements if BTV-3 is present at the destination. Otherwise, animals must be vaccinated or vector protected and a PCR test is required.
For Northern Ireland and Britain, again the Department outlines that BTV-3 vaccines do not have an established duration of immunity so cannot be used as a basis for certification currently.
It repeats that it is in talks with DAERA and DEFRA regarding the exports of cattle and sheep not destined for direct slaughter.
For Greece, animals greater than 70 days old must be able to show that they are vaccinated or else vector protected and a PCR test is required. There are no conditions listed for exports of animals greater than 90 days of age to Poland.
For animals destined for slaughter, it is similar to calves - they must come from establishments in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1 to 24) has not been reported during the last 30 days prior to the date of departure of the consignment.
Third country live trade
As touched on above, there are no third country animal health certificates revised to date.
Third country bilateral animal health certificates such as those required for exporting animals to north Africa and the Middle East require country freedom from bluetongue for a period of 12 to 24 months.
The Department of Agriculture told stakeholders at the meeting that it is engaging with competent authorities of third countries, but, currently, export certs cannot be signed.
A derogation is available to allow live exports of cattle and calves to continue to EU destinations following the first case of bluetongue being identified in Ireland.
Documents presented by the Department of Agriculture in a stakeholder briefing on Monday and seen by the Irish Farmers Journal show that European Commission regulations allow for certain derogations whereby the member state of destination informs the Commission and other member states that the movements are in compliance with certain animal health conditions.
This facility is available for all EU member states if they choose to enact them.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that there is no specific conditions for bluetongue virus serotype-3 (BTV-3) in our main live export destinations of the Netherlands and Spain or other countries which import lower numbers that includes Croatia, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Belgium and Luxembourg.
For Italy and Portugal, if the serotype is present at the destination, then there are no specific conditions. However, member states can set certain conditions, as will be discussed below.
Calf trade
For the trade of calves with the Netherlands, Spain and France, there are no conditions listed for BTV-3.
With regards calf exports to Italy, if an animal is less than 90 days old, there is no requirement if BTV-3 is present at the destination, otherwise calves must be born from a vaccinated dam or vector protection and a PCR test is required.
A PCR test is a blood test to show the animal is free from bluetongue virus.
Exports to Northern Ireland and Britain are more complicated, as they are listed as third countries in terms of trade agreements.
The Department explains that BTV-3 vaccines do not have an established duration of immunity and therefore cannot be used as basis for certification currently.
The Department is currently engaging with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK regarding the export of animals (calves and lambs) not destined for direct slaughter.
For moves for direct slaughter, animals must come from establishments in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1 to 24) has not been reported during the last 30 days prior to the date of departure of the consignment.
The Polish authorities also have criteria required to be satisfied for the trade of animals less than 90 days of age as follows:
They must come from vaccinated dams: prior to service or at least 28 days prior to their birth and the dam remains at the time of parturition within the immunity period guaranteed in the specifications of the vaccine.Or they have been protected from vector attacks by insecticides or repellents for at least 14 days prior to the date of movement and they have been subjected during that period to a PCR test, with negative results, carried out on samples collected at least 14 days after the onset of the protection against vector attacks.Older cattle
Many conditions for older cattle are similar to those required for calves. There are no conditions listed for the Netherlands, Spain and France.
For Italy, animals greater than 90 days of age face no requirements if BTV-3 is present at the destination. Otherwise, animals must be vaccinated or vector protected and a PCR test is required.
For Northern Ireland and Britain, again the Department outlines that BTV-3 vaccines do not have an established duration of immunity so cannot be used as a basis for certification currently.
It repeats that it is in talks with DAERA and DEFRA regarding the exports of cattle and sheep not destined for direct slaughter.
For Greece, animals greater than 70 days old must be able to show that they are vaccinated or else vector protected and a PCR test is required. There are no conditions listed for exports of animals greater than 90 days of age to Poland.
For animals destined for slaughter, it is similar to calves - they must come from establishments in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1 to 24) has not been reported during the last 30 days prior to the date of departure of the consignment.
Third country live trade
As touched on above, there are no third country animal health certificates revised to date.
Third country bilateral animal health certificates such as those required for exporting animals to north Africa and the Middle East require country freedom from bluetongue for a period of 12 to 24 months.
The Department of Agriculture told stakeholders at the meeting that it is engaging with competent authorities of third countries, but, currently, export certs cannot be signed.
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