The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has moved to simplify access to bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV 3) vaccines for farmers across Northern Ireland.
The department has today (Wednesday, April 15) announced that vaccination against BTV 3 vaccine will now be permitted under a general licence.
This change reflects the evolving disease situation, according to DAERA.
Vaccine
The department said moving from a specific licence to a general licence marks the next phase in managing the disease and supporting industry resilience.
“The new approach reduces administrative burden and ensures timely access to BTV 3 vaccines currently authorised.
“Under the terms of the general licence, vaccination will continue to require veterinary prescription, accurate record keeping, and compliance with veterinary medicine recording requirements,” the department added.
Further guidance, including copies of the general licence for private veterinarians and livestock keepers which detail the requirements are available on the DAERA website.
Bluetongue
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said that “the introduction of a general licence is a practical next step in the management of BTV 3”.
“By reducing the administrative burden, it will make it easier for farmers to access vaccines and make informed decisions to protect their animals,” he said.
The department has reiterated that bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
Farmers, veterinarians and laboratories must continue to report any suspicion of bluetongue immediately to DAERA.
The department also repeated that there are no food safety or human health risks from bluetongue.