Beef News
Minister Martin Heydon has confirmed that bluetongue virus has been confirmed in three more herds in Co. Wexford.
Beef
Beef exports from Ireland to China have been stopped again due to the detection of bluetongue here just two weeks after the market reopened.
Tillage
IGGG members have pointed to the continuing threat posed to Ireland’s plant health standards by imported straw coming in from Britain.
Agri-Business
The Department of Agriculture said the cow detected with bluetongue in Co. Wexford had no clinical symptoms, Agriland understands.
New research has revealed that smart monitoring can detect sub-clinical changes due to bluetongue infection in dairy cows.
The Department of Agriculture (DAFM) will hold a "detailed briefing" to discuss the confirmed bluetongue case today (Monday, January 26).
Dairy
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has said it is "acutely disappointed" that bluetongue has been detected in Co. Wexford.
A suspect case of bluetongue is being investigated at a premises near Portavogie, Co. Down.
Sheep
Sheep are more likely to show obvious clinical signs of bluetongue than cattle if they become infected, DAFM said.
It is "critical" that everything is done to prevent bluetongue from spreading, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has said.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has confirmed that an outbreak of bluetongue has been detected in Co. Wexford.
This morning's confirmation of an outbreak of bluetongue in Co. Wexford "will have an impact on exports of cattle and sheep".
The confirmation of an outbreak of bluetongue in Co. Wexford is "hugely worrying" news, the ICMSA has said.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed that an outbreak of bluetongue has been detected in Co. Wexford.
The Isle of Man’s chief veterinary officer confirmed bluetongue (BTV) antibodies have been identified in a herd of cattle on a Manx farm.
N.Ireland
Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president, William Irvine, has highlighted the growing challenge of animal disease to agriculture
13 veterinary practices have applied for bluetongue vaccine licences, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has said.
Agri Politics
Dr. Eoin Ryan, deputy chief veterinary officer at DAFM, warned of increasing risk of tropical and exotic diseases to the island of Ireland.
A number of cases of bluetongue have been confirmed in Great Britain this year.
Some financial support will be provided for the pre-movement testing of high-risk animals out of the current bluetongue TCZ.
In December, Minister Martin Heydon announced that the use of bluetongue vaccination will be permitted in cattle and sheep in Ireland in 2026.
Latest government figures show there have been 266 cases of bluetongue in Great Britain in the 2025 bluetongue season.
There are no plans to introduce bluetongue disease (BTV) testing for all animal products entering the state.
