Daera Minister Has Today Announced That some
Financial Support Will Be Provided for the Pre-movement Testing
of High-risk Animals out of the Current Bluetongue Virus Btv)
Temporary Control Zone Tcz).
Daera Announced on 18 December 2025 That Animals Could Move out
of the Tcz. However, a Number of High-risk Categories Would Only
Be Permitted to Move Under Specific Licence Subject to Certain
Additional Requirements.
Some of Those Requirements Include Either Proof of a Negative
Pregnancy Test, Negative Pre-movement Testing or Proof of
Previous Bluetongue Vaccination. Further Information Is Available
Here: Www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/news/changes-bluetongue-movement-restrictions
Private Veterinary Practitioners Pvps) Will Be Able to Administer
Any Required Pre-movement Sampling, with the Laboratory Cost of
the Tests Now Payable by Daera for a Limited Period. Further
Information for Pvps Is Available Here: Www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/publications/bluetongue-licences
Daera Minister Said: The Measures
Announced Last Month Permitted the Movement of Animals out of the
Tcz with a Controlled Approach Taken for High-risk Animals to
Protect Northern Ireland Herds/flocks Within the Free Area
Safeguarding Animal Health and Welfare. This Also Provides a
Window for Livestock Keepers to Consult with Their Private
Veterinary Practitioner on Vaccination.”
Conscious of the Ongoing Financial Impact on Farmers in
the Area, I Have Now Issued a Ministerial Direction Requiring My
Officials to Put in Place Arrangements to Meet the Laboratory
Costs for Any Pre-movement Testing of High-risk Animals Moving
out of the Zone.
This Is a Unique Situation Based on Current Circumstances
and Is Short Term in Nature to Provide Targeted Sector Specific
Support."
Farmers Who Require Pre-movement Testing of High-risk Animals
Should Contact Their Own Pvps to Administer the Test Collect and
Submit Blood Sample for Analysis). This Element Will Be Paid for
by Farmers. Pvps Will Then Be Responsible for Sending the Samples
to the Designated Official Laboratory Afbi and the Results Will
Be Shared with the Farmer. It Is These Laboratory Costs Only That
Will Be Covered by the Department.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, Stated: It Is Anticipated
That the Additional Requirements for High-risk Animals Moving out
of the Tcz Will Be in Place During the Vector Low Period with the
Costs for Laboratory Testing of Pre-movement Animals Covered
Until Then.
In Spring It Will Be Likely That We Are Approaching the End of
the Vector Low Period, Increasing the Risk of Btv Spread Beyond
the Current Tcz. At That Juncture and Based on Further Veterinary
Assessment Future Decisions Will Be Made with Regards to
Retention of the Zone. The Minister Has Directed That Laboratory
Tests Associated with the Pre-movement Testing of High-risk
Animals out of the Zone Be Met Until That Point or Until Whenever
the Tcz Be Removed, Whichever Is Sooner.”
Notes to Editors:
- Daera's Disease Control Framework for Northern Ireland Ni)
for Bluetongue virus Btv-3) Can Be Accessed
At: Https://www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/publications/bluetongue-disease-control-framework.
- Updates to the Bluetongue Situation in Northern Ireland Can
Be Accessed At: Https://www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/articles/bluetongue-situation-northern-ireland
- The Tcz Declaration Issued by Daera Can Be Accessed
At: Declaration | Department of
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. This Contains
Maps of the Tcz to Enable Farmers To confirm Whether They
Are Impacted.
- Further Information on Licences Available and Associated
Conditions Is Available At: Https://www.Daera-ni.Gov.Uk/publications/bluetongue-general-licences
- Information And advice on Btv-3, Including the
Clinical Signs Can Be Accessed At: Https://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.
