How serious is the threat of bluetongue to Irish agriculture?

In recent weeks, cases of bluetongue have significantly increased in parts of England and Wales, particularly the south-west of England around Devon and Cornwall.

The data at the moment indicates that the animals most affected in those areas are sheep, cattle and one llama.

Naturally, livestock owners on this side of the Irish Sea are concerned about the potential spread of the disease from the UK, especially given that the cases so far detected in Ireland earlier this year resulted from infection possibly last autumn.

Agriland Editor Stella Meehan is joined on AgriFocus by Dr. Avril Hobson from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the National Disease Control Centre to discuss the important and urgent information livestock owners need to know.

Farmers and herd owners can also help in the research and monitoring of the virus by providing vital information, so tune into AgriFocus to find out what you need to do

What is AgriFocus?

The Agri Focus Podcast Series is brought to you by the team in Agriland. In each episode Stella Meehan, joined by an industry expert , takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers and farming, rural communities and the agricultural sector both in Ireland and beyond.