Tracing is ongoing to determine the location of a “small number of animals” that left a herd in Co Wexford before bluetongue was confirmed in the herd on Saturday, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said.
“A small number of animals have moved from the affected farm and forward tracing is ongoing,” the IFA’s animal health chair David Hall commented on Wednesday.
“It’s important that farmers are aware there is very limited risk of onward spread at the moment due to the absence of vector activity and the prevailing low temperatures.”
Hall said that it would be “reasonable to expect” further positive tests for the bluetongue virus close to this holding, with cases since confirmed by the Department of Agriculture on three more farms as a result of extensive blood testing of herds in its vicinity.
The holding in which the first cases were identified and a “small number of neighbouring farms” are subject to movement restrictions, the IFA has said, adding that all other farmers remain free to move and market livestock in the normal way.
Vigilance and exports
The association’s animal health chair urged farmer vigilance for signs of bluetongue in their flocks and herds, saying that animals should not be transported where there is any suspicion of the disease.
Hall also called on the Department to resolve “all outstanding market access issues” that arose following the first confirmation of the virus in Ireland.
He said that live exports will continue unhindered to most EU markets, but that some member states will have additional live export criteria shippers must meet.
Wednesday saw China end the just over one week access spell Irish beef had into the market on foot of bluetongue concerns.
“If a farmer and his vet decide on vaccination it is important the vet applies for a licence from the Department to guarantee supplies to have the programme completed in advance of the high vector season, which is from May to October and have immunity developed prior to this period”.
Sheep markets
The IFA also called out sheep factories on Wednesday, warning them that there is no reason for any cuts to lamb prices as demand for sheepmeat remains strong while supplies are tight.
“We are now almost €1/kg behind the GB lamb price where tight supplies and good market conditions has pushed prices on by over 10p/kg in the last week,” its sheep chair Adrian Gallagher said.
“Market conditions justify higher prices. The GB price is rising. The French price remains extremely strong at almost €10/kg and this must be reflected in the direction of travel of our prices.
“Live sheep can continue to be exported to France and if factories are not careful they will have a lot less lambs again this year as farmers opt for the better prices that will be available from exporters in the coming weeks if they don’t change their approach.”
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Second cow tests positive for bluetongue on Wexford farm
Tracing is ongoing to determine the location of a “small number of animals” that left a herd in Co Wexford before bluetongue was confirmed in the herd on Saturday, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said.
“A small number of animals have moved from the affected farm and forward tracing is ongoing,” the IFA’s animal health chair David Hall commented on Wednesday.
“It’s important that farmers are aware there is very limited risk of onward spread at the moment due to the absence of vector activity and the prevailing low temperatures.”
Hall said that it would be “reasonable to expect” further positive tests for the bluetongue virus close to this holding, with cases since confirmed by the Department of Agriculture on three more farms as a result of extensive blood testing of herds in its vicinity.
The holding in which the first cases were identified and a “small number of neighbouring farms” are subject to movement restrictions, the IFA has said, adding that all other farmers remain free to move and market livestock in the normal way.
Vigilance and exports
The association’s animal health chair urged farmer vigilance for signs of bluetongue in their flocks and herds, saying that animals should not be transported where there is any suspicion of the disease.
Hall also called on the Department to resolve “all outstanding market access issues” that arose following the first confirmation of the virus in Ireland.
He said that live exports will continue unhindered to most EU markets, but that some member states will have additional live export criteria shippers must meet.
Wednesday saw China end the just over one week access spell Irish beef had into the market on foot of bluetongue concerns.
“If a farmer and his vet decide on vaccination it is important the vet applies for a licence from the Department to guarantee supplies to have the programme completed in advance of the high vector season, which is from May to October and have immunity developed prior to this period”.
Sheep markets
The IFA also called out sheep factories on Wednesday, warning them that there is no reason for any cuts to lamb prices as demand for sheepmeat remains strong while supplies are tight.
“We are now almost €1/kg behind the GB lamb price where tight supplies and good market conditions has pushed prices on by over 10p/kg in the last week,” its sheep chair Adrian Gallagher said.
“Market conditions justify higher prices. The GB price is rising. The French price remains extremely strong at almost €10/kg and this must be reflected in the direction of travel of our prices.
“Live sheep can continue to be exported to France and if factories are not careful they will have a lot less lambs again this year as farmers opt for the better prices that will be available from exporters in the coming weeks if they don’t change their approach.”
Read more
Bluetongue: three more farms test positive for virus
Chinese market closed for Irish beef due to bluetongue
Bluetongue latest: live exports of cattle and sheep from ROI to NI suspended
Second cow tests positive for bluetongue on Wexford farm
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