Imports to be tested after case of bluetongue

ALL cattle and sheep recently imported from the North are being traced and tested for bluetongue after it was confirmed a dairy cow shipped to an Antrim farm from the Netherlands tested positive for the disease.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan, who ordered the move, said she had also decided that cattle and sheep from the North other than those going direct to slaughter, will have a post-importation test for bluetongue, as is currently the case for cattle being imported from other places.

“Despite having done in excess of 1,700 post-importation tests, no bluetongue has been detected in this country,” she said.

Ms Coughlan said she had discussed the situation with her northern counterpart, Michelle Gildernew, and had also chaired a meeting of the National Disease Control Centre.

She said her officials were continuing to maintain very close contact with their northern colleagues.

Ms Coughlan said following this development and further cases of the disease in England and Wales earlier in the week, she had instructed officials to keep the risk of the disease being introduced to Ireland under ongoing review.

She said she would apply any additional controls considered necessary to mitigate any increased risk.

The minister urged farmers to consider very carefully the potential risks of importing cattle from bluetongue affected areas.

In the North, Ms Gildernew said an epidemiological investigation has begun which will help determine if the disease is circulating but at this time there was no evidence to suggest that it was. Therefore, the North’s bluetongue-free status remains.

Fine Gael agriculture spokesman Michael Creed said the devastating disease, which strikes fear in the hearts of farmers, was too close for comfort and Irish agriculture must be on high alert.

“It may not be possible to restrict the fly which spreads the disease but every additional control must be put in place in light of the increased risk the Northern Ireland case represents,” said Mr Creed.

Claiming that the minister’s approach to date was not working, he called on her to make clear her department’s advice on the advisability of vaccination.

He also said a National Biosecurity Committee should be set up.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said livestock farmers were extremely concerned.

He called for an immediate voluntary suspension of livestock imports by all involved in the industry.