Suspected bluetongue case ‘could have serious consequences’ for agrifood sector
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA
The first suspected case of bluetongue virus on the island of Ireland could have “serious consequences” for the agrifood sector, Stormont Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.
He said authorities on both sides of the border must work closely together to respond to the threat.
While testing is continuing, Mr Muir said it is “highly likely” that bluetongue is in Northern Ireland.
DAERA vets are investigating the suspicion of Bluetongue virus at a holding near Bangor. More info: https://t.co/dXvlY84Q69 pic.twitter.com/GfFqNTTH4o
— DAERA (@daera_ni) November 29, 2025
On Saturday, the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) introduced a 20km temporary control zone (TCZ) near Bangor in Co Down.
Two cows have been culled, and sampling is continuing on the rest of the herd.
Bluetongue is an animal disease that affects livestock, including cattle and sheep, as well as goats, deer and llamas.
It does not affect humans or food safety and is primarily transmitted through midges.
Speaking on Sunday, Mr Muir said: “News that bluetongue has now arrived on the island of Ireland is a matter of significant concern.
“Whilst this does not have any public health or food safety implications, this has the potential to have very serious consequences for our agrifood industry and will be causing significant concern within our farming community in Northern Ireland.
“My department has responded swiftly and hard in response to this. We have established a control zone, movement of animals is only permitted for those to direct slaughter.
“We would encourage extreme vigilance in relation to this issue and for urgent reporting of any signs.”
Mr Muir said he had spoken to his Irish counterpart, Martin Heydon.
He said: “North-south we will work closely in response to this threat. It is absolutely critical we work together north-south on this.
“We are one single epidemiological area and that is why we need to respond together on this.
“We can eradicate this but it requires a collective effort.”
The minister said Saintfield Mart will be closed as part of the measures imposed.
We have stepped up our surveillance, that is how this was identified, because we are aware of the threat to the island of Ireland
He said: “This disease is spread through midges, it is an airborne disease and is something that has affected England and Europe. It has now come here to Northern Ireland.
“It has come at the end of the season, in terms of the movement of it.
“We are hoping that the weather ahead, in terms of colder weather, will help us respond to this.”
He added: “We have stepped up our surveillance, that is how this was identified, because we are aware of the threat to the island of Ireland.
“We have had surveillance within our slaughterhouses and that is how we were able to to identify that.”
Irish Farmers Association president Francie Gorman said the suspected case in Co Down was “very disappointing”.
“Farmers are actively playing their part in monitoring livestock for any signs of the disease and reporting any suspicions to their vets and the department,” he said.
