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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 26th June 2015
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Brucellosis testing regime to be reduced in NI
cattle
Currently, the Brucellosis Eradication Programme costs farmers an estimated £7 million a year in compliance costs.

CVO says: "We must not relax our attitude"

Northern Ireland's testing regime for brucellosis is set to be reduced ahead of schedule.

Announcing the news, agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill said biennial herd testing for beef cattle will be introduced from next week (29 June).

Changes will be phased in over the next few months.

This is expected to bring significant benefits to farmers and taxpayers.

"I anticipate major savings for industry, taxpayers and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) through the gradual dismantling of the brucellosis scheme as we move forward," Ms O'Neill said.

Currently, the Brucellosis Eradication Programme costs farmers an estimated £7 million a year in compliance costs and taxpayers around £8 million a year.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious cattle disease characterised by abortions. It can be transmitted to humans, with serious consequences for human health.

It has been more than three years since the last confirmed brucellosis case in Northern Ireland. An application for officially brucellosis free (OBF) status is currently with the EU Commission. Brucellosis testing will continue for five years after OBF status is granted.

While the reduced testing has been welcomed by the government and veterinary associations, the chief veterinary officer Robert Huey stressed the importance of continued compliance with biosecurity advice and testing measures.

"We must not relax our attitude to the reporting of abortions or any suspicion of brucellosis," he warned.

An isolated case of BSE was recently confirmed on a farm in County Louth. BVA president John Blackwell said this shows vets and farmers "need to be ever vigilant against the incursion of disease. Now is not the time to be lax in that vigilance."

BVA and BVA Northern Ireland branch said the early reduction in testing requirements is a testament to the hard work of vets and farmers.

"This has taken real and effective partnerships between vets, farmers and government," Mr Blackwell commented.

 

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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.