Farmers need to ‘remain vigilant’
A cow on a farm near Dorchester, which had been imported from France, was found with the virus while six imported cattle from Germany were also found to be infected on a farm in Worcestershire.
A further 18 cattle from Germany also tested positive for bluetongue on a County Durham farm. Macra na Feirme’s agricultural affairs committee chairman Eddie O’Donnell said yesterday that bluetongue in Britain poses a serious threat to the livestock and sheep industry in Ireland. Imports of all animals for breeding or slaughter should be suspended on a voluntary basis, he said.
