Livestock imports from NI to be traced and tested for bluetongue

Live cattle and sheep imported from Northern Ireland since last month, other than those for slaughter, are to be traced and tested for the bluetongue virus, Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan told the Dáil.

"My department's contingency arrangements to minimise the possible introduction of the bluetongue virus into the country are based on the existing EU legislation and an ongoing assessment of the risk to Ireland," she said.

"Following confirmation of the detection of the virus in Northern Ireland in the past week, I have asked my officials to further assess the risk and, based on that assessment, I will introduce any such additional control measures that are considered appropriate."

She said that live animals, imported for breeding or production from Northern Ireland, would now be included in the routine post-importation testing programme which was being applied to live imports from the Continent and Britain.

Ms Coughlan said that information and advice leaflets on the disease were sent to to every farmer in the State as well as tailored advisory material to all members of the veterinary profession.

"The department also hosted a bluetongue industry seminar with international speakers," she added.

"In addition, the department has a dedicated bluetongue website which is updated as appropriate and contains comprehensive information and advice on the disease, including full details of the clinical signs together with photographs."

She added that the department's contingency arrangements were kept under constant review.