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27/09/2007
Agriculture Minister Urges Vigilance Over Bluetongue
Michelle Gildernew has expressed concern over the detection of Bluetongue in a fourth animal in Suffolk.
The Agriculture Minister noted that this is not a confirmed outbreak unless the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) further investigates and demonstrates that the disease is indeed circulating.
She urged farmers here to remain vigilant for signs of the disease.
Ms Gildernew said: “The bluetongue disease control strategy has been developed in consultation with our local industry through the bluetongue working group. My priority continues to be to keep Bluetongue out of the North. It is vitally important that farmers maintain vigilance for signs of the disease and report any suspicions immediately to their local Divisional Veterinary Office.
“The Bluetongue disease control strategy has been developed in consultation with our local industry through the NI Bluetongue Working Group. It recognises that different regions have different factors and priorities to consider, and provides for us to respond in a way specific to our circumstances here in the event that Bluetongue is confirmed either here or in Britain.”
The Department for Agriculture said it would continue to liaise closely with DEFRA, other Devolved Administrations and with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Dublin to monitor the Bluetongue situation.
The fourth case of the animal disease was confirmed yesterday by DEFRA, when an animal tested positive for the disease on a third premises in England.
(LC/SP)
The Agriculture Minister noted that this is not a confirmed outbreak unless the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) further investigates and demonstrates that the disease is indeed circulating.
She urged farmers here to remain vigilant for signs of the disease.
Ms Gildernew said: “The bluetongue disease control strategy has been developed in consultation with our local industry through the bluetongue working group. My priority continues to be to keep Bluetongue out of the North. It is vitally important that farmers maintain vigilance for signs of the disease and report any suspicions immediately to their local Divisional Veterinary Office.
“The Bluetongue disease control strategy has been developed in consultation with our local industry through the NI Bluetongue Working Group. It recognises that different regions have different factors and priorities to consider, and provides for us to respond in a way specific to our circumstances here in the event that Bluetongue is confirmed either here or in Britain.”
The Department for Agriculture said it would continue to liaise closely with DEFRA, other Devolved Administrations and with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Dublin to monitor the Bluetongue situation.
The fourth case of the animal disease was confirmed yesterday by DEFRA, when an animal tested positive for the disease on a third premises in England.
(LC/SP)
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