February 20, 2008

Ireland advocates for outright bans on livestock from bluetongue zones

Ireland recently expressed disapproval on the EU imposed measures which prevent outright trade bans on livestock coming from bluetongue-infected areas.

Northern Ireland minister of agriculture, Michelle Gildernew, said the red tape would hinder bluetongue preventative measures in the region.

A trade regulation adopted by the European Commission last year has removed member nations' ability to ban imports from areas affected by the disease.

In the last five days, there have been five cases of bluetongue at a farm in north Antrim. Reports said that the infected cattle were originally from the Netherlands, known as bluetongue high risk zone.

A total of 30 animals have been culled at the farm to prevent the disease from spreading.

In line with this, Gildernew has lobbied for the UK government to vote against the EU regulation, which she said would delay bluetongue preventive measures.