Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
508. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his engagement with his Northern Ireland counterpart regarding the confirmed cases of bluetongue in County Down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70906/25]
View answerI have engaged closely with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir MLA in relation to bluetongue and the recent outbreak in Northern Ireland. My Department undertakes regular collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland regarding the threat of bluetongue and other exotic animal diseases.
Movement of BTV-susceptible animals (cattle, sheep, goats, etc) from Northern Ireland to Ireland is no longer permitted for breeding and production. Movements of cattle and sheep directly to slaughter from Northern Ireland to Ireland are currently permitted only where such movements are accompanied by veterinary health certification, are direct and non-stop to the slaughterplant, and are pre-notified to my Department. My Department is also undertaking tracking and testing of susceptible animals that were moved in to Ireland from Northern Ireland in the weeks before the BTV outbreaks were announced in Co Down. My Department continues to closely monitor the developing situation regarding BTV in Northern Ireland.
