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More cows culled over bluetongue More cows culled over bluetongue
(10 minutes later)
More cattle are to be culled on a County Antrim farm following confirmation of blue tongue disease.More cattle are to be culled on a County Antrim farm following confirmation of blue tongue disease.
On Friday, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said a cow from the same farm which had contracted the disease had to be put down. On Friday, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said a cow from the same farm which contracted the disease had been put down.
The animal had been imported from the Netherlands. A further 23 cows and four calves will now be slaughtered following further tests.The animal had been imported from the Netherlands. A further 23 cows and four calves will now be slaughtered following further tests.
Ms Gildernew said the farm would remain under restriction.Ms Gildernew said the farm would remain under restriction.
"This result does not mean that the disease is circulating here, and at present the north retains its bluetongue free disease status," the minister said."This result does not mean that the disease is circulating here, and at present the north retains its bluetongue free disease status," the minister said.
Ms Gildernew also warned farmers not to import livestock from areas of Europe where the bluetongue virus is active. Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer Bert Houston said another farm which received animals from the same lorry from the Netherlands is also under restriction as a precaution.
"On Friday, the Ulster Farmers' Union called for a voluntary ban in relation to the import of animals from bluetongue-affected areas," she said. However, he said there was no sign of the disease there.
"I welcome this move and would plead again with farmers do not import. This experience demonstrates that it is quite simply too risky." Farmers have been warned not to import livestock from areas of Europe where the bluetongue virus is active.
"On Friday, the Ulster Farmers' Union called for a voluntary ban in relation to the import of animals from bluetongue-affected areas," Ms Gildernew said.
"I welcome this move and would plead again with farmers - do not import. This experience demonstrates that it is quite simply too risky."