Brucellosis in 0.5% of NI herds

AS THE 32 counties embark on final eradication of brucellosis, the presence of relatively higher levels of the disease in Northern Ireland is a particular concern, given the close trading relationship and other cross-border links.

The UK’s live cattle exports will resume this summer, 10 years after BSE restrictions were imposed, but with a ‘buyer beware’ warning tag on cattle going south.

Although Northern Ireland’s cattle herds were declared Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) in 1982, a flare up of the disease across south Armagh in 2001 ended the OBF status.