IFA Urges Government Action on Bluetongue Threat

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, and his department to take stronger action to help farmers prepare for the possible arrival of Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3) in Ireland.

IFA President Francie Gorman said that while farmers are actively monitoring their livestock and reporting any signs of the disease, the Department must do more to mitigate the potential impact if BTV3 reaches Irish herds.

“It is vital we do everything in our control to prevent this disease entering the country. The trade disruption and potential on-farm production losses would impact directly and solely on farmers,” he said.

Gorman criticised the Department’s refusal to make provision for vaccination as a preventative measure, stating it exposes farmers to unnecessary risk.

He urged the Minister to keep an open mind on vaccination, stressing that farmers’ incomes and livelihoods are at stake if the disease has a similar impact here as it has had in parts of mainland Europe.

“The Minister must immediately move to approve vaccines for use in this country and ensure there is a stock available in case the need arises. It is not acceptable to wait until the disease is confirmed or vaccination becomes urgently necessary,” he said.

IFA Animal Health Chair TJ Maher also called for immediate approval of vaccines, saying early detection, containment and eradication are critical. However, he said farmers who want to protect their herds now should not be blocked from doing so.

“Having vaccines approved and a supply ready is the first step in allowing farmers to take the precautions they see fit,” he said.