Calls have been made to halt all livestock imports in a bid to safeguard Ireland from the rapidly rising bluetongue infection rates in Britain.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have jointly issued this appeal, stressing the urgency during what they describe as a 'critical time' for the farming sector.

So far, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have remained free from bluetongue strain 'BTV-3'.

MORE NEWS | NFU pushes for £5.6b farm budget increase at Lib Dem event

MORE NEWS | Babraham pig genome assembly enhances research potential

In England, however, 70 farms have reported cases of the disease since the first outbreak of the summer in late August.

BTV-3 has been recorded across seven counties: East Yorkshire, East Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Lincolnshire, and Kent, leading to the establishment of several restricted zones.

Europe is also facing increased pressure, with around 700 cases confirmed in Northern France alone.

UFU President William Irvine emphasised the 'huge' threat bluetongue poses to the island's beef and sheep sectors.

“Now is the time to act, and we need all livestock imports to be paused immediately," he urged.

“If a BTV-3 outbreak is detected in Northern Ireland or the Republic, the impact on trade, both within the country and the import/export market, will have significant consequences for farmers and their livelihoods."

IFA President Francie Gorman echoed this outlook, warning that the introduction of BTV-3 would severely disrupt cattle and sheep trade.

"It would immediately stop the live sale and export of animals from within the restriction zone that would be established," he cautioned.

Gorman has already urged the Irish government to take all necessary measures to minimise the risk of the disease entering the country.

Farmers have also been called on to ensure they are 'acting responsibly' to protect their livestock and prevent bluetongue from reaching the island.

While the disease has primarily been spread by wind-borne midges, it can also be transmitted through infected animals, foetuses, and germinal products.

Farmers are being asked to consider the potential consequences of importing cattle and sheep that may be carrying the virus.

Mr Irvine stressed that animals are 'totally vulnerable' to this disease: "We do not want our farm families to experience the devastation of BTV-3 or for it to take hold in our livestock industry.

"We all need to be aware of how dangerous BTV-3 is to our cattle and sheep, especially when a vaccine has not yet been approved here.

“Please keep an eye on your stock for signs and symptoms of BTV-3, particularly sheep, as they’re showing more clinical signs than seen in previous years."

Farmers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are encouraged to contact their agricultural departments, DAERA or DAFM, if they suspect a case of BTV-3.