It has been announced that some financial support will be provided for the pre-movement testing of high-risk animals out of the current bluetongue temporary control zone (TCZ) in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) announced on December 18 that animals could move out of the TCZ.

However, a number of high-risk categories would only be permitted to move under specific licence subject to certain additional requirements.

Some of those requirements include either proof of a negative pregnancy test, negative pre-movement testing or proof of previous bluetongue vaccination.

Private veterinary practitioners (PVPs) will be able to administer any required pre-movement sampling, with the laboratory cost of the tests now payable by DAERA for a limited period.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “The measures announced last month permitted the movement of animals out of the TCZ with a controlled approach taken for high-risk animals to protect Northern Ireland herds/flocks within the free area safeguarding animal health and welfare.

“Conscious of the ongoing financial impact on farmers in the area, I have now issued a ministerial direction requiring my officials to put in place arrangements to meet the laboratory costs for any pre-movement testing of high-risk animals moving out of the zone."

'Unique situation'

The minister said that this is a "unique situation based on current circumstances" and is "short-term in nature to provide targeted sector specific support".

Farmers who require pre-movement testing of high-risk animals should contact their own PVPs to administer the test (collect and submit blood sample for analysis).

This element will be paid for by farmers, DAERA said.

PVPs will then be responsible for sending the samples to the designated official laboratory AFBI and the results will be shared with the farmer.

It is these laboratory costs only that will be covered by the department.

Bluetongue TCZ

Chief veterinary officer Brian Dooher said: "It is anticipated that the additional requirements for high-risk animals moving out of the TCZ will be in place during the vector low period with the costs for laboratory testing of pre-movement animals covered until then.

"At that juncture and based on further veterinary assessment, future decisions will be made with regards to retention of the zone.

"The minister has directed that laboratory tests associated with the pre-movement testing of high-risk animals out of the zone be met until that point or until whenever the TCZ be removed, whichever is sooner.”

Protect cash flow

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has said the move by DAERA to pay laboratory fees "follows direct and persistent lobbying from the UFU to protect the cash flow of farm businesses within the TCZ".

When movement relaxations were first announced in December, the UFU said it challenged the department on the costs associated with mandatory testing for high-risk animals.

The union maintained that farmers "should not be left to foot the bill for laboratory analysis required to maintain national disease-free status".

UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy commented: "We have been pushing for this support since the restrictions were first implemented, and it is right that the minister has finally issued a direction to cover these laboratory fees.

"While the farmer will still cover the vet’s call-out and sampling fee, having the department pick up the laboratory bill is a necessary and hard-fought victory that ensures livestock can move without further depleting farm margins."

The UFU notes that this support is short-term and tied to the vector low period.

"We will remain at the table to ensure that as we move toward the spring and midge activity increases, the interests of livestock keepers remain the top priority in any future decisions regarding the TCZ," Cuddy added.