Vaccination in Northern Ireland
This section provides more detail about the Bluetongue situation in Northern Ireland.
The Bluetongue Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 prohibits vaccination of animals within Northern Ireland unless authorised by Dardni. A BTV 8 vaccine is now available, but can only be used in a Protection Zone. Its use is not therefore permitted in Northern Ireland at this time.
Movement of livestock into Northern Ireland
On 8 May 2008 new import control measures were announced following the successful application to Brussels to apply a derogation from the general rules of the European Bluetongue Regulation which stipulates that all imported susceptible animals must move under the conditions stipulated in the Bluetongue Regulation 1266/2007.
Only susceptible animals less than 90 days or that have proven natural or vaccinated immunity to Bluetongue, if they meet certain conditions, can be imported from Bluetongue restricted areas. All susceptible animals from Great Britain and continental Europe will be tested for all strains of Bluetongue.
Further information