NEWS

Bluetongue infected animals turned away at port
Steven Moore

Department of Agriculture officials last week turned away 31 animals from a Blue Tongue infected country that were landed at Larne port.
The consignment was refused entry on the grounds that the paperwork accompanying them was incomplete.
Minister Michelle Gildernew praised the diligence of her port staff and appeal to members of the Stormont Agriculture Committee to join her in again appealing to farmers in Northern Ireland to desist from importing animals from contaminated areas.
Former committee chairman William McCrea, of the DUP - who prompted laughter when he said he had opted to remain a member of the committee so he could continue to "torture" DARD some more - said it was vital that Blue Tongue was kept out of Northern Ireland.
Ms Gildernew said a farmer had done the deal and had attempted to bring these animals into the country.
She said farmers and ealers had a responsibility to help keep the disease out of the province.
The Minister told members: “Just last week a number of suspect animals were turned back at Larne Port because of inadequate certification.
"This was due to the continued diligence of our portal inspection staff. I wish to remind any farmers thinking of importing cattle from bluetongue zones to consider the risks and not to import.
"We are all well aware of the potential impact of the disease, not only on individual herds but on our industry as a whole.”

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September 18th 2009
September 11rd 2009