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We would like to remind everyone that the Isle of Man will continue to ban the importation of sheep, cattle and goats due to new cases of the deadly Bluetongue Virus Type 3 (BTV-3) emerging in southern England this week.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has confirmed that four farm animals have tested positive in Norfolk since Tuesday. This is the first such case in the UK since March and livestock transport around the affected farms has been suspended.
Bluetongue is a reportable disease that affects ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer) and camelids (such as alpacas and camels). The virus is transmitted by blackflies and can cause infertility and respiratory problems in animals. However, it does not affect human or food safety, so meat and milk are safe to eat and drink.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Amy Beckett said:
“In its most severe form, the disease can be fatal to infected animals and continued restrictions on the import of susceptible animals from the UK will significantly reduce the risk of an outbreak on the Isle of Man.
Farmers should continue to monitor their animals closely for clinical signs such as lameness, lesions in and around the mouth, and loss of appetite, and report any problems immediately to DEFA.
The import ban also applies to other ruminants and restricts the import of their reproductive products (such as semen and embryos), so anyone planning to import a batch of reproductive products must contact DEFA to ensure they comply with the requirements.
Environment, Food and Farming Minister Clare Barber MHK said:
“The department has taken swift action to protect livestock on the Isle of Man and keep the island safe from bluetongue. We have informed the farming community and will continue to keep them informed of any further developments.”
The Isle of Man suspended livestock imports in November 2023, and between now and March 2024, there were 126 cases of bluetongue in England, but the island remains disease-free.
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