The Department of Agriculture in the North is ‘exploring’ whether financial support can be made available to farmers affected by bluetongue controls
The move follows confirmed bluetongue cases on four farms in Co Down in November and December.
All animals, except those that have tested positive for the virus, can now move under a general licence both within and out the temporary control zone (TCZ), unless they fall into certain high-risk categories, under new rules introduced on Friday, December 19.
The DAERA confirmed that high-risk animals include heifers aged 18 months and older, bulls aged 14 months and older, and rams. Animals within these high-risk categories will be permitted to move under a specific licence but are subject to certain additional requirements.
All heifers and cows 18 months and older will be required to have negative tests for the virus, or they can move if they have proof that they are fully vaccinated for bluetongue or are veterinary certified as not in-calf.
Bulls 14 months and older will require a negative test for the virus to move under licence, as will breeding rams
Today’s News in 90 Seconds , Friday Januaray 2, 2026.
For movements out of the TCZ, all heifers less than 18 months, all castrated males, and bulls less than 14 months can move under a general licence without testing, vaccination, or pregnancy determination. All sheep except for breeding males will be allowed to move under licence with no testing necessary.
Movements of cattle and sheep from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland are still not permitted, apart from for direct slaughter. These movements must be pre-notified to the Department of Agriculture, accompanied by veterinary health certification, and movements must be “direct and non-stop to the slaughter plant”, a spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said: “As a result of the recent bluetongue outbreaks in Co Down, Northern Ireland has lost its bluetongue-free status. For that reason, the certification conditions for the movement of cattle and sheep (and other bluetongue-susceptible species) for breeding and production from Northern Ireland to Ireland cannot be met.”
The Department confirmed that the movement of germinal products such as semen from Northern Ireland to Ireland “may continue where the animal health certification conditions can be met”.
They said vaccination against bluetongue serotype 3 will be permitted in Ireland, to “enable farmers to respond to the risk to the health of their livestock following the outbreaks in Northern Ireland”.