DAERA has announced plans to relax some of the restrictions on a
County Down livestock market introduced following the detection
of the Bluetongue virus in the area.
Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher has announced that
Saintfield Market, which is located in the Bluetongue Virus (BTV)
Temporary Control Zone (TCZ), will be able to accept livestock
from outside the TCZ from Tuesday, 16 December 2025.
However, the market will not, at this stage, be able to accept
animals from farms located within the TCZ.
Movements within and out of the TCZ are currently under review
and, following completion of the necessary surveillance early
next week, the Department then expects to be in a position to
inform of next steps.
Mr Dooher said: “Further to the announcement this week that
permitted susceptible species to be moved into the TCZ and,
following further assessments of risk, the Department has
informed Saintfield Market it can recommence operations next
Tuesday and accept animals from outside the zone. This is subject
to General Licence requirements to move into the TCZ.
“Holdings inside the zone remain prohibited from moving animals
off their premises unless they are being sent direct to slaughter
under licence. They cannot, therefore, attend Saintfield
Market. We expect to make further announcements on this
towards the end of next week.
“Animals sold at the market will, however, be able move to
holdings inside and outside the zone.
“Today's announcement is the latest in a series of moves to relax
restrictions introduced in the wake of the recent BTV outbreak
and are aimed at relieving the pressure on farms and rural
communities at this time.
“As outlined above, with herd surveillance testing for Bluetongue
in the TCZ nearing completion, the Department plan, pending
a further assessment of risk, to announce later next week the
conditions and criteria to enable the movement of animals between
premises inside the zone and to holdings outside the TCZ.”
Bluetongue is primarily transmitted through biting midges and
affects cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas.
Biting midges are most active from April to November and the
potential for spread depends on climatic conditions and wind
patterns.
It poses no public health risk, nor does it pose any threat to
food safety. However its symptoms can be particularly severe in
sheep.
Welcoming the relaxation of some of the restrictions on the
market, DAERA Minister said: “Ever since the outbreak
near Bangor, DAERA vets have been working hard to understand the
progression of the virus.
“The arrival of Bluetongue on these shores necessitated stringent
disease control measures. However DAERA has also been acutely
aware of the need to relieve the pressure on farms, based on the
latest scientific advice and assessment.
“The reopening of livestock movements from outside the TCZ
to Saintfield Market is another important step to support our
agri-food industry. My officials are continuing to work with a
range of stakeholders on next steps including moves from TCZ
farms to outside the zone and we hope to be in a position to
announce measures soon.”
Notes to editors:
- DAERA'S Disease Control Framework for Northern Ireland (NI)
for Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) can be accessed at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/bluetongue-disease-control-framework.
- The General Licence for the movement of animals into the
Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) can be accessed at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/bluetongue-general-licences.
- The TCZ declaration in Co Down issued by DAERA can be
accessed at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/declaration.
This contains maps of both 20km TCZs to enable farmers
to confirm whether they are impacted.
- All General Licences available in relation to the Bluetongue
incursion in Northern Ireland can be viewed and downloaded for
use at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/bluetongue-general-licences
- Information and advice on BTV-3, including the
clinical signs can be accessed at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bluetongue.
Information about the clinical signs is also being shared on
DAERA's social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X and
LinkedIn.
- BTV-3 was first detected in the Netherlands in September 2023
and has spread across Europe since then with confirmation of
the disease in the east of England coming in November
2023.
