ICMSA urges farmers to remain vigilant over bluetongue dangers

ALL farmers have been urged by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association to heed the advice of Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith regarding the importation of animals and the possible dangers of bluetongue.

Mr Smith recently urged cattle and sheep importers not to put their farms and the livestock industry at risk by importing cattle from bluetongue-affected areas.

ICMSA Beef and Cattle Committee chairman Kevin Connolly said there is a responsibility on all farmers not to put their herds, or the herds of other farmers and neighbours, in danger by importing animals that had been exposed to the bluetongue virus.