This morning's confirmation of an outbreak of bluetongue in Co. Wexford "will have an impact on exports of cattle and sheep", the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed.

The bluetongue case was found in a bovine animal in a cattle herd in Co. Wexford with the minister confirming the case this morning (Saturday, January 24).

Minister Heydon said: “My department has detected a bovine infected with bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in a herd in Co Wexford.

"This is unwelcome news but unfortunately it is not surprising, given the spread of this virus across Europe, Great Britain and recently Northern Ireland.”

Likely trade impacts

Addressing the likely trade impacts of the first confirmed bluetongue case in the Republic of Ireland, on cattle and sheep, Minister Heydon said: "This outbreak will have an impact on exports of cattle and sheep, with additional costs and logistical issues required in order to comply with the rules set by the countries of destination."

While the news is expected to impact live cattle and sheep exports, the minister also said: "In respect of meat and dairy products, there are no implications for exports to the EU, UK and to most of our international markets.

"My department has been actively negotiating revisions to many trade certs for third countries so that the impact of any outbreak would be minimised, and that work will continue after this news."

Minister Heydon reassured the public, saying: "Firstly, I want to emphasise that bluetongue cannot infect people and does not pose any food safety or human health issue.

"This finding arose from the routine ongoing surveillance my department has been carrying out, so that we can find the disease as early as possible,” he said.

“I want to express my sympathy to the affected farmer at this difficult time.”

'Unlikely to spread widely'

He also said that the recent seasonal drop in temperatures "means that infection is unlikely to spread widely at the current time".

“This virus predominantly is spread by midges. The replication of the virus in infected midges cannot happen when the daily temperatures are lower than 12° celsius.

"Investigations are ongoing with additional sampling taking place so that we can understand the epidemiological situation," he added.

The minister expressed his sympathy to the affected farmer and encouraged all cattle and sheep farmers to discuss with their private veterinary practitioner whether vaccination is appropriate for their circumstances.