Large numbers of migratory birds make their home in Ireland over the winter months. The process is at the heart of a natural, global rhythm.

Late autumn is a time of year when the poultry sector gears up to fend off the threat of avian flu, a disease which these visitors can carry and transmit.

It is impossible to stop the annual rhythm of nature. At this time of the year, millions of birds leave these shores to over winter in places like Africa.

And as they leave, birds from more northerly latitudes arrive here to escape the bitterly cold conditions they would, otherwise, have to face up to.

At a very fundamental level, the island of Ireland is somewhat shielded from the myriad animal health challenges that continually confront the rest of Europe.

This is because we have control of the imported livestock reaching these shores. But all of this is changing.

While avian flu, and its links to migratory birds, poses a very large challenge to the poultry sector, a number of other potent disease threats could impact the long-term sustainability of our livestock sectors. 

Other disease threats

The news that Schmallenberg virus has been associated with an increase in newborn lamb and calf deformities across the island of Ireland is extremely worrying indeed.

Bluetongue is another unwanted disease that is now with us. And it seems that a new raft of exotic diseases could potentially be heading our way from mainland Europe.

Maintaining the highest animal health standards must always be a priority for our farming sectors - our exports depend on this being the case.

Both the bluetongue and schmallenberg viruses, which are midge-borne diseases, now pose a threat to our dairy, beef and sheep sectors.

So livestock farmers must remain vigilant at all times.

Animal health standards

But there also many good news stories making the headlines, where our animal health standards are concerned.

Ireland has made tremendous progress where the eradication of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is concerned.

We are almost there. But it’s important that all farmers play their part in getting the job completed.

Hopefully this sets the scene for the effective targeting of other important animal health challenges, including Johne’s disease.

The reality is that animal disease status is inextricably linked a to a region’s ability to export livestock products to countries around the world.

And this principle is set to become even more relevant during the period ahead.

Disease also brings with it the challenge of coping with and caring for sick animals.

The days are fast coming to an end when antibiotics will be allowed to treat many of the common animal health ailments that arise on all farms.

So as we look to the future, it will be very much a case of disease prevention being the number one priority at all times.