Don't import from Bluetongue affected areas warns Gildernew
Wednesday, 29 April 2009During a visit to Larne Port, Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has reinforced her message to importers to think carefully before they import any cattle and sheep from Bluetongue affected areas.
The Minister was speaking on a tour of the Department’s Veterinary Service Portal Office at Larne. She met the DARD veterinary and portal inspection staff who are at the front line in ensuring that imports from Britain and Europe are in line with legislation and that all certificates are accurate and complete. The Minister acknowledged the rigorous approach taken by portal inspection staff in carrying out their duties.
Minister Gildernew said: “We have been very fortunate so far to keep Bluetongue out. Portal Division’s vigilance illustrates the efforts that are being put in to maintain this situation. Their efforts, expertise and monitoring systems serve our industry well, but we cannot take this for granted. We must all maintain our vigilance to ensure we do not jeopardise the industry’s efforts in keeping Ireland Bluetongue free.
“Importation is a high risk option. I continually urge those involved in the importation of cattle and sheep to think carefully and consider the potential consequences of bringing Bluetongue here.
“Farmers who are tempted to take such risks should remember that any imported animal found at post-import test to be infected with Bluetongue, can be slaughtered as a disease control measure with no compensation being paid.”
Turning to the current levels of risk, the Minister warned: “The next few months lead up to the highest risk period. Farmers need to be aware of that and must not become complacent. It only takes someone to import one infected animal in this period of increased risk to introduce Bluetongue here.”
Minister Gildernew also said: “The emergence of different strains of the Bluetongue Virus in mainland Europe reinforces the message that we cannot be careful enough. With large parts of Europe and all of Britain within the same BTV8 protection zone, animals can now move freely within this zone without testing or vaccination.”
“Whilst vaccination can reduce the spread of the disease and the effects on the animal, it has not yet been proven to provide complete protection or freedom from risk. Vaccination against one strain of Bluetongue virus does not give protection against any other strain.”
The Minister concluded: “I am appealing to importers once again, as have the farming unions, to heed our advice and avoid any livestock imports from Bluetongue affected areas. Everyone should focus on the bigger picture and ensure that they do not take any actions, which could jeopardise our Bluetongue freedom and incur ongoing additional costs for themselves and all other livestock producers.”
Any susceptible animals imported here, except from the South, are required to be kept housed and isolated until they have been tested for all strains of bluetongue and the department is satisfied that they do not present a risk. Anyone considering importing must contact the department.
DARD continues to monitor the situation carefully and is in regular contact with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Dublin to ensure that measures throughout the island are appropriate and are sufficient to protect our bluetongue free status.
Notes to Editors:
1. DARD reviews and updates its Veterinary Risk Assessment on an ongoing basis in light of new developments, to ensure the measures in place are appropriate and timely.
2. DARD is continuing to work in partnership with key stakeholders to mitigate the threat of Bluetongue incursion.
3. Industry stakeholders have also called for farmers to act responsibly.
4. The Bluetongue leaflet which outlines the clinical signs of Bluetongue is available on the DARD website. A Question and Answer guide to Bluetongue is available on the DARD website at www.dardni.gov.uk
5. The Bluetongue virus is spread by midges which transfer the virus from animal to animal by biting them. The first detection of Bluetongue (BTV8) in Britain was reported on 22 September 2007.
6. All Press queries to DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619.
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