DAFM should ‘work swiftly’ with NI on bluetongue

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) should “more proactively communicate with farmers and issue specific advice on how to protect their herds” from bluetongue virus (BTV), according to the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA).

ICMSA livestock committee chairperson, Michael O’Connell made these comments in the leadup to spring, as mid-April brings high vector periods for bluetongue-carrying midges.

“Since the outbreak on a farm in Wexford followed by subsequent positives on neighbouring farms, there’s been huge concern across the farming community and all kinds of speculation about the extent of our vulnerability,” he said.

“Giving credit where credit is due, the department have been extremely proactive in terms of the surveillance programme in place across the southeast as well as the trace testing. But we need to expand the scope of the communication.”

Referring to bluetongue stakeholder meetings, the ICMSA livestock chair said that the department must “communicate with farmers on the possible effects that a BTV outbreak can have on a herd or flock whether it be abortions in breeding stock, sudden drop in milk yield or lack of thrive”.

‘Act in good time’

O’Connell noted that it is important that farmers “act in good time and based on information from the department around vaccination and protecting their herds and flocks”.

He added: “We understand that the vaccine is costing somewhere in the region of €3.50 – €4.50 per shot with two shots required for cows and a single shot required for sheep and – most importantly – the second shot for breeding bovines needs to be administered two to three weeks before the onset of the breeding season.

“Farmers should weigh up the economics behind vaccination – particularly in the more vulnerable parts of the country, such as the southeast.

“ICMSA would encourage farmers with breeding stock to consult with their vet sooner rather than later regarding vaccination in advance of the breeding season.”

O’Connell has also urged the department to “work swiftly and efficiently with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to sort out certification issues regarding the movement of cattle from South to North”.

“Northern Ireland is one of our top five destinations for live exports in 2025 and in advance of the export season, we need progress here,” he said.

“It is also hugely important from a beef price point of view that Northern customers can purchase forward store cattle for finishing.”

He added: “This shouldn’t be causing a logistical certification issue as these cattle are mostly going into controlled finishing units (CFU) herds and direct to slaughter thereafter.

“We are not in a replication period for the virus as temperatures are well below ambient temperatures of 12 degrees and therefore risk of these cattle carrying the virus and other cattle being affected is miniscule.

O’Connell also noted that “there will be a number of breeding bull sales coming up over the next few months and it is important that Northern customers can avail of purchasing Southern bulls”.

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