Livestock Import Suspension Move
UK - The Stormont executive has approved a week-long suspension of the import of breeding animals into Northern Ireland from bluetongue affected areas.
29 February 2008
1 minute read
Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said the move was designed to keep "our bluetongue disease free status intact".
The disease has been detected in imported cattle on a County Antrim farm.
But it is yet to be detected elsewhere so Northern Ireland remains officially bluetongue free.
The Republic's Agriculture Minister Mary announced a similar move last Friday.
"These controls bring us into line with the south and are in response to emerging science around how the bluetongue virus might be transmitted and additional risks that might be posed by pregnant animals," said Ms Gildernew.
Source: BBCnews
