Tipperary farm leader satisfied with Department response to Bluetongue outbreak

The Chairperson of the ICMSA Livestock Committee and Loughmore farmer, Michael O’Connell, has stated that farmers will be reassured following on from the Bluetongue Stakeholders meeting on Monday, January 26.

“We are happy with the assurances given to Irish farmers that all efforts are being made to maintain live trade into Europe and that all parties involved are working together to prioritise the needs of Irish farmers. It is particularly encouraging that our main markets for the coming months all remain open. I would just say that farmers need a simple guide to the potential symptoms of Bluetongue and the sooner that’s circulated the better it will be”, he said.

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“The department assured us that there is a minimal possibility of the virus spreading as we are completely outside the vector period for midge activity due to the average temperatures remaining well below ambient temperature. On the basis of that, the Department has decided that there is no necessity for restriction zones in the area, and we must hope that this is an isolated case and trade within marts, slaughter and live exports into Europe are not affected”, he continued.

Empathising with the farm family affected, Mr O’Connell stated that each and every farmer must be vigilant and notify the relevant authorities if they have any suspicions about animals on their farm: “We need a proactive not reactive approach to this unfortunate infection and that’s why we’d be calling for a widespread circulation of that simple guide on the symptoms and correct information and guidance about the best course of action and response. What we certainly do not need is unnecessary ‘scaremongering’ regarding the live trade or beef trade. Preventing that would be helped by the Department providing regular updates regarding the status for trade within and outside of Ireland”, he said.

Mr O’Connell said that he understood that there are animal health certification issues regarding trade to North Africa as BTV is a notifiable disease.

But he said that – “as it stands” – exports can continue to countries within the EU which have the same strain of the virus as us.

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“We are approaching the main block of spring calving, and it is good news that both the Netherlands and Spain remain open for Irish livestock. While work is needed regarding trade to some other countries within and outside the EU and agreement needs to be reached with these countries as soon as possible. It’s imperative that people understand there is no human health risk associated with Bluetongue virus - whether it be through contact with an infected animal or with animal products.

The Department have been very proactive regarding surveillance and this must continue – we are satisfied that the approach adopted by the Department so far has been appropriate and timely and we’d ask them to look at and resolve the trade certs requirements as soon as possible”, he concluded.