Current bluetongue restrictions means that movements of cattle and sheep from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland or Britain are not allowed, other than directly to slaughter.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said that it is "engaging with" the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland (DAERA) and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Britain on the matter.

The current line from DAFM is that "BTV 3 vaccines do not have an established duration of immunity so cannot be used as a basis for certification currently".

While this is the case for animals going to Northern Ireland for breeding or further feeding, cattle can still be moved to or from Northern Ireland to the Republic directly for slaughter.

The official line from DAFM is that slaughter moves are permitted once cattle "come from establishments in which infection with bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) has not been reported during the last 30 days prior to the date of departure of the consignment".

With several special sales of pedigree bulls and heifers as well as commercial breeding stock taking place this month, news that current restrictions will mean no Northern Ireland customers can purchase cattle in these sales is disappointing for farmers selling livestock that traditionally target these markets.

UK customers are traditionally in the mix at many of the Republic's top pedigree and commercial cattle sales, often securing several of the top-priced lots in these sales.

According to DAFM, the following countries currently specify no conditions for importing cattle from Ireland:

Belgium;
Croatia;
Czech Republic;
France;
Germany;
Hungary;
Luxemborg;
The Netherlands;
Spain.

Farmers have contacted Agriland in recent days voicing concerns relating to cattle sales that had been agreed in advance of these restrictions and now cannot continue.

Several pedigree breeders are also calling on DAFM to provide clarity on when cross-border trade of livestock is expected to be allowed to resume.

DAFM has emphasised it is "engaging" with the relevant Northern Irish and British authorities on the matter.