The discovery of Bluetongue in Germany is a warning to farmers in the UK to remain vigilant, a farming union has said.
This is the first detection of Bluetongue in Germany since 2012 and comes not long after a heifer, imported to Northern Ireland in December, tested positive for the disease.
The German authorities have declared a 150km zone and exports from that region will need to be vaccinated or tested to demonstrate natural immunity before they leave the zone.
The UK routinely tests all cattle imported from mainland Europe to ensure the Bluetongue virus is not present and for evidence of vaccination.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says the discovery of Bluetongue in Germany is a 'timely reminder' to farmers not to become complacent.
"I would encourage farmers to regularly inspect their animals for Bluetongue symptoms and maintain good biosecurity,” said UFU deputy president, David Brown.
He said if the disease were to gain a foothold, it could come with a significant price tag. “It could cost the industry over £25 million per year. We cannot afford to be relaxed when it comes to Bluetongue,” he said.
The UFU says farmers must remain vigilant and ensure they source animals responsibly.
He added: “The best way to do this – do not import animals from high-risk Bluetongue areas. However, if you must import from a Bluetongue affected region, seek additional guarantees from the seller such as requesting pre-export testing to prove effective immunity to the virus.”
