Bluetongue vaccination to be included in welfare schemes
Vaccination can greatly reduce the impact and severity of bluetongue on livestock and mitigate both animal health and welfare issues and the production losses associated with infection.
Vaccination against bluetongue virus will be included as an option for farmers participating in beef and sheep welfare schemes.
Vaccination can greatly reduce the impact and severity of bluetongue on livestock and mitigate both animal health and welfare issues and the production losses associated with infection.
Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said: “I am aware that bluetongue has been a concern for many farmers since the first case was detected in this country in January. In Budget 2026, I secured €50m for the continuation of the highly successful beef and sheep welfare schemes operated by my department in 2025.
"As protecting animal health is always a paramount consideration, I have decided that farmers participating in this year’s welfare schemes should have the option to vaccinate against bluetongue virus, as well as clostridial diseases and calf pneumonia, which were also funded under last year’s schemes.”
It is expected the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme will open for applications in the first half of April, with the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme due to open in August, as it did in previous years.
In 2026, the sheep welfare scheme will include an option to vaccinate, and participants may choose to vaccinate against either bluetongue or clostridial diseases. In 2026, the beef welfare scheme will include an option to vaccinate, and participants may choose to vaccinate against either bluetongue, clostridial diseases, or calf pneumonia.
Mr Heydon added: “I am publicising this new option now so that farmers thinking of vaccinating animals in advance of the 2026 schemes being rolled out can do so confident that vaccinating for lluetongue will be subsidised at existing payment rates.
"Spring is the optimum time for vaccinating for bluetongue, which should take place before the higher risk period during the warmer summer months.”
Farmers may obtain bluetongue vaccines from their vet, under licence from the department. Details on the licence requirements, as well as general information on the disease, are available on the department's website.
