Further to Friday’s (11th February) announcement and following information received by the Society it has become clear that, at the current time, Northern Ireland has not lost its MV free status.
Northern Ireland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Robert Huey said on Wednesday (16th February) that DAERA was carrying out a veterinary investigation with the intention of controlling and stamping out a recent incursion of Maedi Visna (MV). The MV-free status for Northern Ireland currently remains unchanged.
Mr Huey said: “Maedi Visna has recently been detected in Northern Ireland homebred sheep and a veterinary investigation is ongoing. A number of flocks are currently subject to movement restrictions following tracing from an infected premises. Our approach remains to trace, test and remove infected animals, implementing a rigorous stamping out policy for the disease.
“A number of options to maintain Northern Ireland disease status are currently being considered including the introduction of a Northern Ireland or all-island accreditation scheme similar to that in operation in Great Britain. Department officials continue to work closely with stakeholders and their counterparts in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. I would continue to stress that anyone moving animals into Northern Ireland should ensure that they source stock responsibly.
“Keeping Northern Ireland free from MV is vital for our animal health and trading status. As part of its surveillance programme the Department tests any sheep and goats moved into Northern Ireland from outside the island of Ireland for the presence of the disease. Animals from MV accredited free flocks and from mainland Europe are sampled on arrival. Animals imported from MV non-accredited flocks in GB are sampled in isolation five months after importation.
“Good biosecurity practices including strict hygiene measures are essential in preventing disease incursions of this type,” he added.
On Friday 11th February SRUC stated that sheep from Northern Ireland would be considered non accredited for MV from Monday 14th February. The news followed recent cases of sheep moved from NI via sales to Maedi Visna (MV) Accredited GB flocks testing positive for MV and further investigations in NI confirming flock-to flock- transmission of MV.
SRUC Health Schemes vet manager David Wilson says that in addition to this the Republic of Ireland is now officially described as ‘disease present’ with respect for MV. “Sheep from ROI are now also considered to be non-accredited for MV.
Mr Wilson said DAERA had contacted SRUC and asked that NI flocks be allowed to join the SRUC MV accreditation scheme. “I see no problem with this and DEFRA and APHA are supportive of it.
“I understand that ROI is developing its own scheme which will hopefully be one that can be recognised as equivalent to the GB scheme.”
The Society continues to work with the relevant authorities to help inform members of the latest news and will provide updates as soon as it becomes aware of any new information.
