Farmers locally will be able to avail of the bluetongue vaccine for their cattle and sheep from next year. Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon says he's allowing the vaccine to be used as a result of four outbreaks of the disease in the North. He says it's clear bluetongue is present on the island, and that changes the risk picture.
Bluetongue is an animal disease that affects livestock including cattle and sheep. It does not affect humans or food safety and is primarily transmitted through midges. Roscommon IFA Chairperson Pat Leonard believes the move is a step in the right direction:
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