Minister's Challenges EU Export Controls On Bluetongue

The Northern Ireland Executive Minister responsible for agricultural matters has added her voice to calls for the European Union (EU) to take immediate action in the fight against the spread of the cattle disease, bluetongue.

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew was speaking after some 23 cattle were culled in NI last week after they were found to have been infected with the disease.

Ms Gildernew said people were working very hard to keep Ireland disease free, however, she said: "European regulations are not adequate in light of findings that bluetongue is not just transferred by the midge population."

Just days before the Sinn Fein Minister's comments, Scotland's Environment Secretary said that he wanted an urgent review of EU export controls on bluetongue-susceptible animals to stop the virus spreading.

Richard Lochhead, speaking after the first case in Scotland, warned the livestock industry could "pay a heavy price" without changes.

Last Friday it emerged one of 35 cattle imported to Scotland from a German farm was found to have the virus in post-import tests.

While movement restrictions have been imposed on the farm in Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Government said that as the infected animal had been imported, the case does not affect Scotland's "free area" status.

However, the animal, which was on a farm near Kirkcudbright, was culled to minimise the risk of disease spreading.

Mr Lochhead said he had written to his Westminster counterpart, Hilary Benn, asking him to commit to obtaining a review of existing safeguards and to work with the European Union to tighten export rules.

Mr Lochhead warned there were "serious questions" about the current EU rules designed to prevent infection spreading to disease-free areas.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a species of midge and is most commonly seen in the late summer and autumn.

All ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer and sheep, are susceptible, although symptoms are generally most severe in sheep.

(BMcC)