Blue Tongue confirmed in Ulster. Ulster FU call for ban on cattle imports

The Ulster Farmers' Union has very sensibly called for a voluntary ban in relation to the import of animals from bluetongue-affected areas after confirmation of blue tongue disease in a single cow at an Antrim farm

The animal had been imported from the Netherlands. A further 23 cows and four calves will now be slaughtered following further tests.

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. The shipment had followed all the import control procedures that have been put in place to protect Northern Ireland from the disease.