Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has welcomed the new measures agreed by the European Commission on movements of cattle and sheep out of bluetongue-restricted zones.
The proposals could allow Member States to ban until the end of this year the importation from bluetongue restricted areas of all cattle and sheep over 90 days old unless they have been vaccinated or unless natural immunity to the disease can be demonstrated in such animals.
The Minister confirmed that the suspension of imports of female breeding cattle over 12 months and female breeding sheep over 6 months from Bluetongue Restricted Zones entering the North, which was imposed on 1 March 2008, will remain in place until the new measures have officially come into force.
The Minister said, "I will be updating the Executive tomorrow on this issue. In addition, my officials have, at my request, written to the Commission, asking them to arrange publication as soon as possible in order to regularise the position. Also we intend to work closely with the industry and farming unions so that all measures to keep Bluetongue out of Ireland are maintained."
The Minister repeated her advice to farmers to think very carefully before importing susceptible animals that may have been exposed to disease and to remain vigilant for signs of the disease.
She also confirmed that she and her officials were maintaining close contact with the Minister Coughlan and officials in the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Dublin to ensure an all-island approach to the threat posed by the presence of bluetongue throughout Europe and Britain.
The new measures have also been welcomed by the Ulster Farmers Union whose President, Kenneth Sharkey, said,"We currently enjoy a Bluetongue disease free status and that's the way we want to continue. This weeks decision in Brussels means import controls on livestock can now be tightened. We welcome this and would urge the Minister for Agriculture to introduce tighter restrictions at the earliest opportunity".
A delegation from the UFU and the Irish Farmers' Association met the Minister at Stormont in advance of the SCoFCAH meeting.
Kenneth Sharkey added; "We believe these new EU rules should be interpreted to achieve the maximum effect. This would include ensuring the importation of animals into Northern Ireland for direct slaughter is prohibited and that any animal which has previously 'resided' in an infected Bluetongue region should also be excluded from import".
