UK: The Ulster Farmers’ Union condemns illegal Northern Ireland livestock imports due to bluetongue risk

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is condemning the illegal importation of livestock into Northern Ireland from Britain due to the current risk posed by bluetongue virus. The farm organisation is urging farmers “to realise the impact of their actions on Northern Ireland’s livestock sector”. Imports have been suspended since November 2023 following the first outbreak of bluetongue in Britain. However, the UFU said that the smuggling of animals has become a serious threat putting the region at risk of infection. Bluetongue Bluetongue virus is spread by infected biting midges and affects all ruminants, such as cattle, goats, deer, lamas, alpacas and sheep. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), has detailed that clinical signs can vary by species – although symptoms are generally more severe in sheep. The symptoms include fever, swelling of the head and neck, lameness, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes, drooling and there is ...