International trade: Customer Information Notes - GEN/08/43
Movements of bluetongue susceptible animals to Northern Ireland
Purpose
1. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) of Northern Ireland have adopted safeguard measures to protect its national herd from the introduction of Bluetongue Virus.
Import ban
2. The effect of these measures is to prohibit from 1800 hours on Saturday 1 March the importation into Northern Ireland (from the UK and other BTV affected Member States) of female bovine animals aged 12 months or more, or female sheep aged 6 months or more from premises or holdings in a bluetongue restricted zone. This prohibition does not apply to ruminant animals going direct for slaughter. Details of the bluetongue restricted zone in the UK are available via the Defra website.
Further information
3. Further information about DARD’s measure can be found in their News Release attached.
4. The restricted zone in England is regarded as part of the large continental zone within Northern Europe which can be viewed together with details of the other bluetongue restricted zones at:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/BlueTongue_RestrictedZones.jpg
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bt_restrictedzones.pdf
5. Details of restricted zones available via Member State’s websites are quite limited and exporters are recommended to contact their importer to obtain written confirmation of whether the premises of destination is within a restricted zone. If within a restricted zone, exporters should find out what serotype(s) is/are present and whether the destination is in the protection or surveillance part of the restricted zone. This information is essential for the Official Veterinarian to determine which option/requirement of EU Regulation 1266/2007 needs to be met.
Further enquiries
6. If you have any enquiries about exports, please contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office.
Issued by: International Animal Health Service Delivery Unit
Export Section
Tel (01522) 563132
email Lincoln.iahsdu@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
Page published: 7 March, 2008