Bluetongue Disease Latest
Bluetongue Disease Latest
18 February 2008
Press Office,
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)
Press Office,
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has provided a further update on bluetongue disease.
The update follows confirmation on Friday that tests detected bluetongue disease in a cow on a farm in North Antrim. This cow was part of a group of cattle imported from the continent of Europe. This cow was culled on a precautionary basis last Thursday. On Friday the calf of this cow was also culled due to the risks of virus transmission before birth.
Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, provided an update this morning. The Minister said: “Over the weekend DARD staff, vets and AFBI scientists have worked hard to establish if further action is necessary in order to contain this disease.
The update follows confirmation on Friday that tests detected bluetongue disease in a cow on a farm in North Antrim. This cow was part of a group of cattle imported from the continent of Europe. This cow was culled on a precautionary basis last Thursday. On Friday the calf of this cow was also culled due to the risks of virus transmission before birth.
Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, provided an update this morning. The Minister said: “Over the weekend DARD staff, vets and AFBI scientists have worked hard to establish if further action is necessary in order to contain this disease.
Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, provided an update this morning. The Minister said: “Over the weekend DARD staff, vets and AFBI scientists have worked hard to establish if further action is necessary in order to contain this disease.
“Consequently I have taken the decision to carry out a cull of 23 cows and their calves as a precaution. I am focused on ensuring that the disease is contained through quick, decisive action. The affected farm will remain under restriction and surveillance until we are satisfied that there is no further risk of infection from that herd. DARD officials have spoken to the farmer concerned.
“I am keeping DEFRA and Mary Coughlan TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the South of Ireland, informed and I’m liaising with other key stakeholders.”
The cull is being carried out as the latest blood tests on this herd have detected the presence of antibody or virus in another 4 calves born to this group of cattle. The cull will be completed today.
This result does not mean that the disease is circulating here, and at present the North retains its bluetongue free disease status.
The Minister concluded: “On Friday the Ulster Farmers Union called for a voluntary ban in relation to the import of animals from bluetongue-affected areas. I welcome this move and would plead again with farmers do not import. This experience demonstrates that it is quite simply too risky.”
Tomorrow DARD will start to run a series of advertisements reminding farmers to be vigilant and to remind them of the precautions they should take in relation to bluetongue disease
The Minister also stated that the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Chairman of the Agriculture & Rural Development Committee have already been contacted and that she is planning to make a statement to the Assembly tomorrow to update MLAs on these latest developments. Full press release available on the DARD website.
“Consequently I have taken the decision to carry out a cull of 23 cows and their calves as a precaution. I am focused on ensuring that the disease is contained through quick, decisive action. The affected farm will remain under restriction and surveillance until we are satisfied that there is no further risk of infection from that herd. DARD officials have spoken to the farmer concerned.
“I am keeping DEFRA and Mary Coughlan TD, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the South of Ireland, informed and I’m liaising with other key stakeholders.”
The cull is being carried out as the latest blood tests on this herd have detected the presence of antibody or virus in another 4 calves born to this group of cattle. The cull will be completed today.
This result does not mean that the disease is circulating here, and at present the North retains its bluetongue free disease status.
The Minister concluded: “On Friday the Ulster Farmers Union called for a voluntary ban in relation to the import of animals from bluetongue-affected areas. I welcome this move and would plead again with farmers do not import. This experience demonstrates that it is quite simply too risky.”
Tomorrow DARD will start to run a series of advertisements reminding farmers to be vigilant and to remind them of the precautions they should take in relation to bluetongue disease
The Minister also stated that the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Chairman of the Agriculture & Rural Development Committee have already been contacted and that she is planning to make a statement to the Assembly tomorrow to update MLAs on these latest developments. Full press release available on the DARD website.
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