Stopping the export of sheep from Northern Ireland to factories in Ireland for direct slaughter would not close off Ireland to the risk of bluetongue, deputy chief veterinary officer Dr Eoin Ryan has said.
“It simply would not have been proportionate to stop animals moving for slaughter from Northern Ireland. There is no provision in EU legislation to stop that,” Dr Ryan said.
“That is because after doing the risk assessments and looking at the science, it is not proportionate. We would not be closing off an element of risk by stopping those moves direct to slaughter.
“To provide the background, animals can still move directly from Northern Ireland to slaughter here. They have to go directly to slaughter. They cannot stop off. It has to be pre-notified to the Department before they move. That is proportionate,” he told a sitting of the Oireachtas agriculture committee during the week.
Bluetongue spread
Commenting on how bluetongue is spread, he said bluetongue is spread principally through biting midges.
“In order for the virus to replicate in the midges, the average day temperatures have to exceed 12°C for a considerable amount of time. One warm day does not do it.
"At present, average day temperatures are far below 12°C and while we might see the odd midge around here or there if you are by a body of water, there is very little midge activity,” he said.
Bluetongue is not currently going to be transmitted on this island, he added.
“It is too cold. It could still be transmitted by products such as an infected bull or a pregnant animal coming in, but the main risk is through spread by infected midges.
“That is why it is not proportionate to stop movement of animals directly for slaughter and that is the reason it is not provided for in EU legislation. It is not arbitrary; it is well thought out and proportionate,” he said.
Risky year
The Department vet said that Ireland is facing into a risky year.
“There is no point not being straight about it. We should be realistic. We are at high risk of bluetongue in 2026. It is everywhere else in northern and western Europe. It has reached Northern Ireland.
“It is on the coast of Wales, Cornwall and Lancashire. We are at risk. That is why the Minister authorised the bluetongue vaccination a few weeks ago to be used here,” he said.
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Bluetongue vaccines approved for use in Ireland
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Stopping the export of sheep from Northern Ireland to factories in Ireland for direct slaughter would not close off Ireland to the risk of bluetongue, deputy chief veterinary officer Dr Eoin Ryan has said.
“It simply would not have been proportionate to stop animals moving for slaughter from Northern Ireland. There is no provision in EU legislation to stop that,” Dr Ryan said.
“That is because after doing the risk assessments and looking at the science, it is not proportionate. We would not be closing off an element of risk by stopping those moves direct to slaughter.
“To provide the background, animals can still move directly from Northern Ireland to slaughter here. They have to go directly to slaughter. They cannot stop off. It has to be pre-notified to the Department before they move. That is proportionate,” he told a sitting of the Oireachtas agriculture committee during the week.
Bluetongue spread
Commenting on how bluetongue is spread, he said bluetongue is spread principally through biting midges.
“In order for the virus to replicate in the midges, the average day temperatures have to exceed 12°C for a considerable amount of time. One warm day does not do it.
"At present, average day temperatures are far below 12°C and while we might see the odd midge around here or there if you are by a body of water, there is very little midge activity,” he said.
Bluetongue is not currently going to be transmitted on this island, he added.
“It is too cold. It could still be transmitted by products such as an infected bull or a pregnant animal coming in, but the main risk is through spread by infected midges.
“That is why it is not proportionate to stop movement of animals directly for slaughter and that is the reason it is not provided for in EU legislation. It is not arbitrary; it is well thought out and proportionate,” he said.
Risky year
The Department vet said that Ireland is facing into a risky year.
“There is no point not being straight about it. We should be realistic. We are at high risk of bluetongue in 2026. It is everywhere else in northern and western Europe. It has reached Northern Ireland.
“It is on the coast of Wales, Cornwall and Lancashire. We are at risk. That is why the Minister authorised the bluetongue vaccination a few weeks ago to be used here,” he said.
Read more
Bluetongue vaccines approved for use in Ireland
No new BTV cases since mid-December
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