5th March: DAERA and DAFM announce reciprocal Bluetongue derogations to ease trade

Agriculture Ministers on both sides of the border have moved to lift animal movement restrictions for breeding and production which were introduced following the Bluetongue outbreaks in both jurisdictions.

Following extensive stakeholder engagement, Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir and Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon have authorised derogations that will allow for the recommencement of cross border movements of Bluetongue susceptible species like cattle and sheep from 09:00 on Friday 6 March 2026.

The derogations will also enable the lifting of the (BTV) Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in County Down, effective from the same time. This will mean that all animals, will be free to move within Northern Ireland.

Minister Muir stated: “Having listened to the concerns of industry including the impact that restrictions have had on trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, my Department will be availing of a derogation under EU legislation which will ensure that live animal moves for breeding and production can resume from BTV affected EU Member States to NI. This means that the movement of live animals for breeding and production can re-commence between NI and the Republic of Ireland, where a derogation has also been made operational.

“As my officials have discussed with industry, the granting of a derogation, which will also result in the lifting of the current Temporary Control Zone, comes with an increased disease risk. Therefore, I appeal to all farmers to source responsibly, discuss BTV-3 vaccination of stock with their private veterinary practitioner and continue to report to DAERA any suspicion of BTV in your herd.”

The derogation will permit free movement of susceptible animals from BTV affected EU Member States which have BTV-3 only. Additional requirements will be necessary for any imports from EU Member States which have additional strains of BTV circulating.

The derogation does not apply to movements of live animals from Great Britain (GB) to NI. As a result of the confirmed cases of BTV-3 in England and Wales, moves of all live ruminants from GB to NI are still suspended.

Commenting on the easing of restrictions between North and South, DAFM Minister Martin Heydon stated: “I welcome the restoration of trade of cattle and sheep for breeding and production between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since the first case of Bluetongue was identified in Ireland, there has been significant interruption to this cross-border trade. This trade is essential to the all-island agri-food economy. I am happy to announce Minister Muir and myself are applying derogations that will allow movements from Northern Ireland to Ireland and vice versa to recommence from this Friday.”

BTV, which is spread by certain species of biting midges, is a notifiable disease. It is a disease of animals, not humans, and there are no human or public health issues.

If BTV is suspected or detected, contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840 or your local www.daera-ni.gov.uk/contacts/daera-direct-regional-offices immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.

Further information on updated and any new requirements are available on www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bluetongue-situation-northern-ireland.

All animals within Northern Ireland will be free to move under a general licence which will be updated on the DAERA website for information. Further information and conditions for animals for breeding and production and germplasm movement to Scotland are available on the DAERA website.