Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 3rd March 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Northern Ireland may be declared Brucellosis-free
cow
Brucellosis is a highly contagious cattle disease, characterised by abortions.
Last confirmed case of Brucellosis was three years ago

It has now been three years since the last confirmed case of Brucellosis in Northern Ireland, meaning the province can apply for officially brucellosis free (OBF) status.

Achieving this status would allow the government to reduce Brucellosis control measures, including on-farm testing and pre-movement testing - significantly reducing costs for farmers.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious cattle disease, characterised by abortions. It can pass from cattle to humans, causing serious health consequences.

Current testing rules are estimated to cost the taxpayer £8 million per year and farmers £7 million per year.

Commenting on the news, the president of the BVA's Northern Ireland branch, Simon Doherty, said it represents a "milestone" for vets and farmers.

Both he and the BVA's president John Blackwell said the news is a testament to the combined efforts of vets, farmers and government.

"[This] clearly demonstrates what can be achieved by vets, farmers and government working in partnership to tackle what is a serious disease, which can of course be transmitted to humans," Mr Blackwell said in a statement.

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer is beginning the formal process of applying to the EU Commission for OBF status. Agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill said it is hoped the status will be granted later this year.

However, she warned that now is not the time for complacency: "I would remind farmers of the importance of complying with the current testing requirements," she said.

"It is also vital to continue to report all abortions and any suspicion of the disease so that veterinary service staff can follow up with the necessary investigations."

Cattle farmers and industry representatives are urged to take part in a consultation - launching on March 6 - on the proposals to reduce Brucellosis controls.

If Northern Ireland is declared OBF, the department of agriculture and rural development (DARD) will have to implement suitable monitoring measures for at least five years.

View the consultation document here: http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/consultations.htm

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.