Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
510. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking in view of the fact that the presence of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) has been identified and confirmed in a herd of cattle in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70967/25]
View answerMy Department is undertaking extensive measures in relation to the risk of bluetongue virus (BTV) to Ireland. This includes implementing additional targeted and risk-based BTV surveillance: on-farm surveillance blood sampling of cattle and sheep, testing of livestock submitted to Regional Veterinary Laboratories and sampling of cattle routinely slaughtered at meat plants are all being ramped up.
My Department continues to engage with industry stakeholders with the most recent meeting taking place on 4th December. My Department also continues to coordinate with Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in combating this mutual threat.
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.
