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18/02/2008
Dutch Cattle Brought Blue Tongue to Ulster
Imports from the Netherlands are being blamed for Northern Ireland's now more threatening outbreak of the cattle illness, blue tongue disease.
Things are being taken very seriously with yet more cattle set to be culled on a County Antrim farm following confirmation of the first outbreak.
On Friday, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said a cow from the same farm which contracted the disease had been put down.
The animal had been imported from the Netherlands.
This week, a further 23 cows and four calves will now have to be slaughtered following further tests.
Ms Gildernew said the farm would remain under restriction.
"This result does not mean that the disease is circulating here, and at present the north retains its bluetongue free disease status," the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer Bert Houston said another farm which received animals from the same lorry from the Netherlands is also under restriction as a precaution.
However, he said there was no sign of the disease there.
Meanwhile, farmers have been warned not to import livestock from areas of Europe where the bluetongue virus is active.
"On Friday, the Ulster Farmers' Union called for a voluntary ban in relation to the import of animals from bluetongue-affected areas," Ms Gildernew said.
"I welcome this move and would plead again with farmers - do not import. This experience demonstrates that it is quite simply too risky."
(BMcC)
Things are being taken very seriously with yet more cattle set to be culled on a County Antrim farm following confirmation of the first outbreak.
On Friday, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said a cow from the same farm which contracted the disease had been put down.
The animal had been imported from the Netherlands.
This week, a further 23 cows and four calves will now have to be slaughtered following further tests.
Ms Gildernew said the farm would remain under restriction.
"This result does not mean that the disease is circulating here, and at present the north retains its bluetongue free disease status," the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer Bert Houston said another farm which received animals from the same lorry from the Netherlands is also under restriction as a precaution.
However, he said there was no sign of the disease there.
Meanwhile, farmers have been warned not to import livestock from areas of Europe where the bluetongue virus is active.
"On Friday, the Ulster Farmers' Union called for a voluntary ban in relation to the import of animals from bluetongue-affected areas," Ms Gildernew said.
"I welcome this move and would plead again with farmers - do not import. This experience demonstrates that it is quite simply too risky."
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
