Minister renews bluetongue warning

FARMERS have again been urged by Minister Mary Coughlan not to import livestock under any circumstances, as this represents the biggest risk of bluetongue disease being introduced here.

“I have made this clear to the farming organisations during the many briefings on bluetongue and have asked that they too use their influence accordingly,” she told Labour TD Sean Sherlock, in a written Dáil reply.

Ms Coughlan said a bluetongue contingency plan has been produced.