Imports Risk Bluetongue Spread

In a bid to minimise the threat of bluetongue spreading in Ireland, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has warned against the importation of cattle and sheep. Martin Mc Mahon, beef and cattle committee chairman said that it is worrying that animals are still being imported into Ireland. Mr. McMahon said that this has been verified by the Department of Agriculture. He said: "One of the key measures to prevent the spread of Bluetongue is to cease the import of livestock until such time as the risk from the disease has receded and we receive expert advice that it is safe to resume importing livestock."

According to the beef and cattle committee chairman, anyone importing livestock at the moment is putting our herds at risk and "should cease imports immediately." There have been over 4,500 reported cases of the bluetongue virus in France up to date this year with the disease having already spread to the UK in 2007. There have also been cases of the new variant BTV8 in the Netherlands.

Martin McMahon said that the threat posed by bluetongue to Irish stocks should not be taken too lightly.

Mr. Mc Mahon concluded saying, "With the proper precautions, Ireland can avoid Bluetongue and one of the key instruments towards that end is the suspension of animal imports."