DAERA Issues warning on Bluetongue threat
Date published:
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has today issued a warning to farmers across Northern Ireland about the devastating impact Bluetongue (BTV) could have on the local agri-food sector and has urged all farmers to exercise vigilance and to source animals responsibly.
The warning follows recent outbreaks of BTV-3 in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and now Luxembourg and France.
A DAERA spokesperson said: “One of the main risks of Bluetongue entering Northern Ireland is from importing infected animals.
“There are stringent criteria to be met to import animals from a Bluetongue infected area. These conditions must be attested to by the certifying veterinarian on the health certificate.
“Requirements include being vaccinated against any relevant Bluetongue strain prior to import to Northern Ireland. If the animals are pregnant then the vaccination must have been carried out before conception. It should be noted there is no authorised vaccine at present for the BTV-3 strain causing many of the recent outbreaks across Europe.
“Farmers are reminded that if you choose to bring animals into Northern Ireland from a disease-free zone via a Bluetongue infected zone you must ensure you comply with all the conditions on the health certificate. This should include the treatment of animals and vehicles with an approved insecticide and ensuring all the movement requirements have been met.
“Any imported animal found to be infected with BTV will be culled without compensation.”
DAERA carries out rigorous post-import checks on all livestock entering Northern Ireland from mainland Europe in order to protect our livestock industry. This includes restrictions, isolation, treatment with an approved insecticide and testing, at the farm of destination.
Farmers are advised to familiarise themselves with the signs of BTV and to report any suspected cases immediately to DAERA whilst also isolating suspect animals indoors.
Further information on BTV, including clinical signs and questions and answers can be obtained from the DAERA website or by contacting your local DAERA Direct Office on 0300 200 7840.
Notes to editors:
- The Bluetongue virus is spread by midges which transfer the virus from animal to animal by biting them or by infected germplasm (semen or ova).
- Bluetongue affects all ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer, lamas, alpacas and sheep. Clinical signs can vary by species – although symptoms are generally more severe in sheep. Symptoms include fever, swelling of the head and neck, lameness, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes, drooling and there is often a high mortality rate. Generally, cattle and goats are less severely affected but cattle and goats, which appear healthy, can carry high levels of the virus and provide a source of further infection.
- Animal keepers in Northern Ireland are not permitted to vaccinate their animals against Bluetongue. However, if Bluetongue was confirmed in Northern Ireland, a veterinary risk assessment would be carried out and a licence may be issued to permit vaccination. Vaccination against one strain of Bluetongue virus does not give protection against any other strain.
- DAERA reviews and updates its Veterinary Risk Assessment on an ongoing basis in light of new developments, to ensure the measures in place are appropriate and timely.
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- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.