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<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland\u2019s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the suspect case is on a farm close to Greyabbey.<\/p>\n
It follows the confirmation of more than 40 cases of bluetongue at a herd close to Bangor last week.<\/p>\n
Daera said the new suspect case of the virus in a cow near Greyabbey is within the existing 20km temporary control zone (TCZ).<\/p>\n
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Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said a new control zone is an \u2018essential measure\u2019 (PA)<\/p>\n
A second 20km TCZ around the Greyabbey farm has now been introduced, effective from 6pm on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The animal disease affects livestock including cattle and sheep, as well as goats, deer and llamas.<\/p>\n
It does not affect humans or food safety and is primarily transmitted through midges, which are most active from April to November.<\/p>\n
Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said the emergence of the new suspect case in the existing TCZ is \u201cvery disappointing \u2013 especially for the farmer concerned\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe decision to now introduce a second TCZ is an essential measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis suspect case serves as another reminder of why farmers need to be extra vigilant for clinical signs of bluetongue in their flocks or herds \u2013 details of which are on the Daera website and the department\u2019s social media accounts.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOnce again, I would remind members of the public that Bluetongue does not have any impact on human health or food safety. It does however pose risks to cloven hoofed animals \u2013 particularly sheep which can show the most severe symptoms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI urge farmers in the second TCZ to familiarise themselves with the animal movement restrictions that will operate in their area and to follow them closely.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs vets continue their investigations, I and my officials will continue to work closely with stakeholders in the agri-food industry, as well as our counterparts in the Irish, UK, Scottish and Welsh governments, as we respond to a rapidly evolving situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chief Veterinary Officer Brian Dooher described bluetongue as an \u201cunpredictable virus\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe spread of bluetongue has a significant impact on livestock, the agri-food sector and the rural economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why, as a result of the Disease Control Framework we launched in June, Daera continues to move rapidly to put in place control measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would urge everyone in the farming industry to continue to play their part in protecting our farms by remaining vigilant, and would especially urge those in the TCZs to follow the restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also imperative that keepers who suspect an outbreak report any symptoms immediately to their vet, local divisional veterinary office or to the Daera helpline on 0300 200 7840.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Chairman of Stormont\u2019s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee, Robbie Butler, said the potential new case \u201creinforces the scale and urgency of the challenge we now face\u201d.<\/p>\n
The UUP MLA added: \u201cIt is more important than ever that Daera offers not just guidance, but absolute co-operation, co-ordination and practical support to every farm and every community affected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis must be matched by full engagement from all stakeholders across the agriculture and agri-food sector. A united, transparent and proactive response will be essential to containing risk and preventing further spread.<\/p>\n
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The new suspect case follows confirmation of more than 40 cases of bluetongue in a herd near Bangor last week (PA)<\/p>\n
Walkthrough of the massive new Primark store at Ballymena <\/p>\n
\u201cCommunication, vigilance and strict adherence to biosecurity protocols remain paramount.<\/p>\n
\u201cFarmers have been battling relentless pressures from avian flu to the unresolved bovine TB crisis and the development of bluetongue as an additional threat risks pushing many to the edge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey cannot and must not be left to face this alone.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Northern Ireland\u2019s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the suspect case is on a farm…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":616795,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5011],"tags":[1144,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-616794","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-northern-ireland","8":"tag-northern-ireland","9":"tag-uk","10":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115675068961231713","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/616794","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=616794"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/616794\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/616795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=616794"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=616794"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=616794"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}