Restrictions related to Bluetongue disease now prevent the export of cattle and sheep from England, Scotland, and Wales to the island of Ireland. This situation could potentially increase the number of livestock breeders from these regions attending Irish sales this autumn.

Another factor at play is the reluctance of Irish pedigree breeders to exhibit cattle and sheep in Great Britain, primarily because animals that don’t achieve the desired sale price cannot be returned home.

Trevor Shields, a Limousin breeder from Co. Down, addressed this issue at the recent Antrim Show. Trevor has already won the Balmoral inter-breed beef championship this year with a selection of elite heifers, highlighted the challenges.

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Northern Ireland’s Limousin Club is hosting its annual Ladies in Red Sale in Ballymena Mart over the coming weeks,” he explained.

“The event is fully export accredited. I sense that many Limousin enthusiasts from across the UK and Ireland will attend on the day.”

The implications of a Bluetongue outbreak in Ireland would be severe, leading to the establishment of restriction zones of at least 150km, along with movement controls for susceptible animals. Other measures, such as mandatory vaccination (if available) or enforced housing periods, could also be required to contain the disease.

The UK’s chief veterinary officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant for bluetongue virus as Europe sees an increase in BTV-3 cases.

There has been an uptick in cases in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, with some animals showing severe clinical signs.

Last November, APHA and the Pirbright Institute identified the first case of the disease in Britain through the annual bluetongue surveillance programme.

Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep and camelids such as llamas.

The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – some show no clinical signs or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals.

Biting midges are most active between April and November and the timing of a potential incursion will depend on the temperature.