Bluetongue infection a 'worrying development', says Coughlan

Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan has today described the detection of the Bluetongue infection in Britain as a "worrying development".

Coughlan has reminded farmers to familiarise themselves with the clinical signs of the disease, and to report any suspicions they might have.

She has also emphasised that Bluetongue does not infect humans and has no public health significance.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) president Malcolm Thompson has also described the case of Bluetongue in the UK as very worrying.

"This is a very worrying development, and if it spreads to Ireland, it would have an extremely negative impact on Irish meat exports," he said.