Bluetongue awareness alert for sheep importers

‘Buyer beware’ advice issued after virus found in four sheep from France

Sheep breeders are being urged to exercise “extreme caution” when importing sheep from countries with high risk diseases.

The plea from the National Sheep Association (NSA) follows the discovery of bluetongue virus in a consignment of four sheep imported from France.

“The import and export of quality breeding animals is an important part of advancing sheep genetics and a valuable trade,” said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker.

“However, farmers and traders involved should be aware of the risks, and also aware that they may not only be putting individual farms at risk but could also threaten our entire livestock industry.”

He said any livestock being imported from affected areas of Europe, as the four sheep were, must be effectively vaccinated against bluetongue before they are sent off farm.

The NSA is now advising farmers, and anyone involved in livestock trade, to research the high-risk diseases associated with different countries before choosing to import stock.

“While in this case it is a legal requirement for stock to have been vaccinated for bluetongue prior to export this case shows the system cannot be fully relied upon,” added Mr Stocker.

“The NSA would like to see farmers and traders apply the ‘buyer beware’ principle and to have the animals tested to make sure they have developed immunity prior to leaving the farm of origin.”

It is a legal requirement for stock to have been vaccinated for bluetongue prior to export.