Manx National Farmers' Union


News information - 31st March 2008: Voluntary import ban of livestock agreed The Council of the Manx National Farmers’ Union has agreed to support a voluntary import ban of all livestock liable to be effected by the disease Bluetongue. The policy takes immediate affect and applies to all ruminant animals imported i.e. cattle, sheep and goats. The decision, proposed by the Southern branch of the Union, was agreed by Council and backed up by a meeting with The Animal Health Division of the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. The measure follows a similar voluntary ban in Northern Ireland agreed by Irish farmers in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease. Any such bans do not present a guarantee that the disease will not reach the Island but are hoped to limit the possibilities and further strengthen the tight animal health control measures and ongoing import restrictions bought in by DAFF on March 1st. Chief Vet, Eamon O’Donnell welcomed the move saying: “On behalf of the Department, I welcome the stand taken by the Union in calling for a voluntary moratorium on the importation of livestock into the Isle of Man. The Department also acknowledges the sacrifice and impact this will have on individuals but any measure that slows the spread of this disease until vaccine is freely available is ultimately for the good of the whole industry. Since 6pm on 1st March 2008 imports of female cattle over 12 months of age and female sheep over 6 months of age from Bluetongue restricted zones were suspended by DAFF until further notice. Movements of animals are permitted from Bluetongue free areas in the UK. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Notes on Bluetongue: Bluetongue is not as infectious as Foot and Mouth Disease, which is transmitted readily between infected animals. Bluetongue cannot be spread directly from one animal to another and requires the disease vector, midges, to spread it. It is an unpleasant disease for ruminant animals including sheep, cattle, deer and goats but is not as serious a risk to animal health as Foot and Mouth Disease is. Neither disease presents a direct risk to humans. Manx farmers are advised to be vigilant for signs of Bluetongue and inform Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Animal Health division if they suspect any of their animals are infected. Bluetongue is a Notifiable Disease under Manx Law any suspected case on the island should be reported to DAFF by calling: 01624 685844 or by e-mail: animal.health@gov.im Clinical signs in sheep include: Eye and nasal discharges Drooling as a result of ulcerations in the mouth High body temperature Swelling of the mouth, head and neck Lameness Haemorrhages into or under the skin Inflammation at the junction of the skin and the horn of the foot - the coronary band Respiratory problems A blue tongue is rarely a clinical sign of infection Deaths of sheep in a flock may reach as high as 70%. Animals that survive can lose condition with a reduction in meat and wool production. Clinical signs in cattle: (It's possible that cattle will show no signs of illness, however clinical signs have included below) Nasal discharge Swelling in, and ulceration, of the mouth Swollen teats Tiredness Saliva drooling out of the mouth In cattle, the disease cannot be diagnosed on clinical grounds and requires laboratory testing for confirmation The disease can only be confirmed by laboratory tests. Full details regarding Bluetongue and latest DAFF releases on the subject can be found at http://www.gov.im/daff/bluetongue.xm And also at UK's DEFRA animal health and welfare website visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue For the latest information regarding DAFF Foot and Mouth restriction advice visit http://www.gov.im/daff/footandmouth.xml END _____________________________________________________________________ If you have any queries about this press release please contact General Secretary, Belinda Leach at the Manx NFU office. Tel: 01624 662204 or e-mail gensec@manx-nfu.org
Go to News Room Go to home page