Mr Smith said while the movement controls in place under EU legislation reduce the risk of bluetongue spread, these cannot guarantee freedom from the risk of introducing infection."I once again urge all cattle and sheep importers not to put their farms and our livestock industry at risk by importing livestock from bluetongue affected areas," he said. Ireland has remained bluetongue-free and imports of animals from affected areas are limited to certain categories. The disease situation in Europe has improved, however bluetongue serotypes continued to circulate in Portugal, Spain and France in 2009.Mr Smith said the risk posed by this disease is still real. Imported animals found positive for bluetongue on post-import testing will be slaughtered without compensation.
"All cattle and sheep importers should be aware of their potential financial exposure as well as the disease risk such imports may pose to the national herd," he saidhttp://eclectech.co.uk/b3ta/2006-11kilmahogcattle.jpg
Source: irishexaminer.com