Live cattle barred from NI winter fair as bluetongue spreads

The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) has confirmed there will be no cattle classes at this week’s Royal Ulster Winter Fair, due to the ongoing risk of bluetongue in Northern Ireland.

A second suspected outbreak of the disease was declared by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) on Friday (5 December), triggering an additional 20km temporary control zone (TCZ) in County Down.

See also: Further bluetongue cases detected in County Down

Department vets are investigating the new suspected case of BTV-3, detected on a farm near Greyabbey, with testing under way on a further 20 farms within the TCZ.

Movement of susceptible animals on or off farms in the two TCZs is prohibited, while moves direct to slaughter are permitted under a general licence available on Daera’s website.

Daera minister Andrew Muir said: “The emergence of this suspected case in the existing Temporary Control Zone is very disappointing – especially for the farmer concerned.”

The 39th Royal Ulster Winter Fair will still go ahead on Thursday (11 December) at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, with an “unrivalled” turnout of dairy industry specialists and more than 200 trade stands, but with no live animals.

Extremely regrettable

RUAS operations director Rhonda Geary said: “It is extremely regrettable that there will be no cattle at this year’s show.

“But as widespread testing is continuing for bluetongue and due to our very close proximity to the temporary control zone, it is our priority to protect the welfare of the province’s top dairy stock.

“However, we know how important the winter fair is to our local agri industry and look forward to welcoming everyone this Thursday.

“They will be sure to find something of interest from our many trade stands.”

Speaking to Farmers Weekly about the bluetongue situation, Ulster Farmers Union president William Irvine said: “We’re all nervous and holding our breath.

“Farmers can’t move animals off the farm, and we’re already seeing a build-up of lambs and dairy calves on holdings.

“It’s putting pressure on housing, feed and general stress.”