Bluetongue restrictions continue to hammer exports

As pedigree sales ramp up, the lack of ability to move cattle and sheep to Europe and Northern Ireland, is affecting some breeds.

The bluetongue situation in the European Union has seen significant changes recently.

Historically, bluetongue outbreaks were rare and short-lived, but warmer weather has contributed to the virus becoming more established in both southern and northern Europe.

There is also the question of a post-Brexit fallout, as cattle exports to European countries remain at a relative standstill. Talks are ongoing between the UK, Northern Irish and EU governments to make trade easier.

Veterinary checks on animals entering Europe have been required since the UK left the European Union (EU) on January 1, 2021.

The outbreak of bluetongue in the south of England has halted trade with Northern Ireland as it remains in a customs union with the EU. The Scottish Government commissioned work to identify animal movements into Scotland from the affected areas in England. There were only a few tracings and all tested negative

Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society chief executive Robert Gilchrist explained that the restrictions are having an impact, but also that there is more to the story than solely bluetongue issues.

Mr Gilchrist said: “From our perspective it’s very frustrating because there is good strong demand for our genetics in Europe, if we could get them there.

“I’m just back from our European forum in Germany and a trip to Kazakhstan. In an ideal world we could work with our colleagues in Europe to get their animals into Kazakhstan, and we could fill the hole that would leave on the continent, with our exports but that’s just not possible just now.”

He continued: “Any exports previously were going through Ireland but as a breed we also have cattle coming out of southern England, but with no French border point, even without bluetongue, we can’t export live cattle in that way just now. Bluetongue is a major issue that needs sorting from an EU perspective.

“But at the same time we’re not able to export to our usual levels until a border post is sorted.

“Northern Irish breeders especially are having a time of it, as the situation has all but made them a single market on their own – it’s a real challenge for them. If we could sort our exports to Northern Ireland, it would be massive.

“Trade wise there is a small effect being seen, but the real yard stick will be this backend. A lot of females will be coming for sale at that time of year, that would have gone to Europe or Ireland and it’s whether buyers have the confidence to go for them, regardless.

“Also, Northen Irish breeders are seeing certain breeds of heifers coming into the country from Scandanavia, having come through bluetongue countries, into Stranraer and over the Irish sea, with no issue. How is that fair?”

He continued: “Don’t get me wrong, we have a good set of buyers without the export market, but one more bidder is always welcome.

“Getting the Scottish market open again would be a good start at putting the floor on sales.”

Chief executive and breed secretary of the Suffolk Sheep Society, Barrie Turner, explained that the current situation at an impact on the trade at the sale at Lanark last week.

“The trade between Scotland an Northern Ireland has been running for centuries and now the buyers are limited as to what they can do,” he said.

“It is not impossible to import but the hoops you have to jump through to prove a sheep is clean are putting up massive walls

“We're losing out on an important sheep buying market between Scotland and Northern Ireland, but also with Europe as well.

“The average was back at our sale at Lanark – the Irish boys have come over for years and taken sheep from Lanark, so I would lay the blame for that heavily if not totally on export restrictions.

“Buyers from overseas were not able to do their usual bit to help to the trade along.

“It’s not ideal to have trade back, but there are obvious reasons for.”

Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates said that while the current restrictions were, obviously, placing constraints on how Texel Sheep Society members trade and particularly impacting on the ability of breeders in Northern Ireland to source genetics from GB flocks and attend GB sales, it was important to remember the devastating impact a disease such as bluetongue can have.

“It is a disease which shouldn’t be underestimated and reports from Continental Europe about the losses suffered by affected flocks make for difficult reading.

“The Texel Sheep Society actively works with government animal health officials and auctioneers to ensure its members are fully informed about the current situation and the restrictions in place.

“Of course, we’d all rather the restrictions on trade between GB and NI weren’t there, but they are and the Society will do everything it can to support its members in working within the current rules for as long as they are in place.

“In the meantime, I urge members, particularly those in the highest risk areas, to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue as the health and welfare implications for flocks are significant,” he added.