Minimise disease risk with tighter controls on imports

THERE are advantages to the free movement of livestock within the EU, but the freedom must be measured against the associated risks. Imports of new breeds and new blood lines have benefited the livestock industry immensely over the past 50 years. But many livestock breeders here believe Ireland should not have relaxed the quarantine procedures for all imported livestock.

There is a price to be paid, which is manifest in the spread of some difficult to control exotic livestock diseases in the national herd. The spread of bluetongue is of serious concern. This disease could cost farmers millions should it arrive in southern Ireland. It is carried by a type of midget, mainly found during warm weather, and is difficult to control its spread. Many farmers believe it is only a matter of time before the first outbreak in Ireland.

Official sources assess the risk of spread to Ireland from Britain as “extremely low”, because of the prevailing westerly wind direction. Nonetheless, we do get some easterly winds. It has also been established that four species of midge in Ireland are capable of carrying the bluetongue virus.