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Some financial support for farmers in bluetongue zone

Louise CullenAgriculture and environment correspondent, BBC News NI
News imageGetty Images Three auburn cows are standing together in a shed. Their heads are sticking out of a fence and they're looking into the camera. Getty Images
Spread by midges, bluetongue , poses no threat to the public or food safety but can have serious consequences for cloven hoofed animals like sheep and cattle

Some farmers are to receive financial support to help them meet the conditions of bluetongue virus (BTV) restrictions.

The virus was detected at four sites in County Down last year and a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) remains in place.

Some restrictions have been eased, but certain high-risk animals must still be tested before they can be moved out of the area.

While farmers will still pay for any required tests, the agriculture minister has ordered that associated laboratory costs will be met by the department for a limited time.

Andrew Muir said it was a "unique situation" and was a short-term arrangement for targeted sector-specific support.

Bluetongue is spread by biting midges.

Winter is regarded as a "low vector period", when the risk is reduced because the insect is not active when the weather is cold.

But the movement restrictions are still expected to remain in place for some time.

The chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher said the testing requirements for moving animals out of the zone will be kept under review.

"In spring it will be likely that we are approaching the end of the vector low period, increasing the risk of BTV spread beyond the current TCZ.

"At that juncture and based on further veterinary assessment future decisions will be made with regards to retention of the zone.

"The minister has directed that laboratory tests associated with the pre-movement testing of high-risk animals out of the zone be met until that point or until whenever the TCZ be removed, whichever is sooner."

High-risk animals

News imageGetty Images A lamb, standing in a field, is looking into the camera. Getty Images
Sheep, cattle, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas are affected by the disease

Animals that fall under the high risk category include:

  • female cattle aged 18 months and over
  • breeding male sheep and goats
  • deer, llamas and alpacas (pregnant females and breeding males)

Under the rules of the TCZ, they may require proof of a negative pregnancy test, negative pre-movement testing or proof of previous bluetongue vaccination.

Vets will take blood samples for the tests and send to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Laboratory for analysis.

Those laboratory costs will now be covered by Daera for a limited period.

The minister had previously signalled that support was coming .

What is bluetongue?

BTV affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.

It can cause ulcers or sores around the animal's mouth and face, difficulties swallowing and breathing, fever and lameness, foetal deformities and stillbirths.

It is a notifiable disease so anyone suspecting their animals may have it must report it to a vet, local divisional veterinary office or to Daera directly.

The latest outbreak began in the Netherlands in 2023, where tens of thousands of sheep died, and midges blown over from the continent began infecting livestock in the south-east of England too.

But the impact of BTV-3 seems to vary considerably across different regions, with some animals showing little sign of infection and managing to recover.