IFA urge vigilance following Bluetongue outbreak
The confirmation of a fifth case of Bluetongue in the UK reinforces the need for the highest levels of vigilance across the island of Ireland, IFA president Padraig Walshe said today.
Padraig Walshe said the clear focus for Ireland must be to remain FMD and Bluetongue free.
He also said the Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan must ensure that a very high level of bio-security is applied at all points of entry into the country.
"The source of this outbreak of Bluetongue in northern Europe last August remains unknown," he said.
"However, one possibility being examined by the EU Commission is the transportation of infected midges in cargoes that arrived in or around the Maastricht area before the first reported case."
"As Ireland’s island location is further north and west in the Atlantic, it provides a potential barrier that the Department of Agriculture must actively harness in a determined strategy to keep this country Bluetongue free.
"Keeping Ireland Bluetongue free is a huge prize for the livestock industry that the Minister must strive for."
As the prevailing winds from an easterly and south-easterly direction account for less than 25% of the winds recorded, this significantly reduces the risk of windborne spread of the disease to Ireland.
Mr Walshe said, “cargoes originating in Bluetongue restricted areas pose a high risk to the health status of this country. The Department should urgently undertake a risk analysis of higher risk cargoes coming into Ireland from regions such as the Netherlands and Belgium to see whether insecticide treatments or other measures would reduce the risk of importing the disease.”
The IFA President said “with an €8bn agri-food export sector from this country, the implications of a Class A disease outbreak are much more serious for Ireland than for the UK.” He reminded farmers to continue to check their stock on a regular basis and report any suspicions they may have.
