Exercise vigilance amidst threat of Bluetongue, warns UFU

While Northern Ireland remains free from confirmed cases this season, the disease has emerged as one of the most significant animal health challenges facing the UK livestock sector this year.

UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said: "The confirmation of Bluetongue in the South is a concern and serves as a reminder that the disease remains a very real threat to our livestock sector. While Northern Ireland has no confirmed cases, it is important that farmers exercise strict vigilance, keep a close eye on their animals for signs and symptoms and follow guidelines to protect their livestock as best they can.

"Even without cases in NI, farmers are already feeling the knock-on effects. Restrictions across parts of Great Britain have made livestock movements more complicated and added pressure through extra paperwork, testing requirements and uncertainty around trade.

"Northern Ireland's livestock industry is closely connected with Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and international export markets, so developments elsewhere can have a direct impact on local farms.”

By late August, more than 650 premises across Great Britain had been confirmed with BTV-3 infection, while thousands of additional suspected cases remained under investigation.

Veterinary authorities have reported that the 2026 outbreak has been considerably more severe than last year's, with significantly higher levels of clinical disease, particularly in sheep.

Mr Lynch added: "As we navigate through peak 2026/27 Bluetongue season, now is the time for farmers to be particularly vigilant. Good biosecurity and regular monitoring of livestock remain our best line of defence.

"If farmers notice anything unusual, they shouldn't take chances. Contact your private vet or DAERA straight away. Early reporting is crucial in helping to protect animal health and limit the spread of disease.

"Farmers should be aware of the clinical signs of Bluetongue, which can include a high temperature, lameness, swelling around the head and neck, excessive salivation and nasal discharge. Affected animals may also develop sores in the mouth and become stiff or reluctant to move due to swelling around the hooves."

The UFU will continue to monitor the developing situation closely and encourage any farmers with concerns to contact their private vet, local divisional veterinary office, or the DAERA helpline.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is encouraging sheep farmers to read two newly published sources of bluetongue guidance before tupping begins, and to treat unverified advice circulating on farm and online with caution. Misinformation leads to decisions that can have negative impacts on a farm business. Using information from trusted sources, ensures that farmers can make informed decisions with greater confidence. The sources farmers can trust on ram fertility:

- A set of fact checks by the AHDB on the Ruminant Health and Welfare bluetongue virus hub.

- Update to the Sheep Veterinary Society guidelines on breeding soundness checks for rams, which sets out the damage the virus can do to ram fertility and how far ahead of mating rams should be assessed.

Both are free to read and neither requires membership of any organisation. The fact checks are at ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus-hub and the ram guidance is in the knowledge hub at sheepvetsoc.org.uk

Anyone buying a ram this autumn to take into Scotland faces a further change. From Thursday 10 September 2026, susceptible animals moving into Scotland to live from a bluetongue restricted zone in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man must have completed an authorised bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination course, with 21 days elapsed since completion. Vaccination therefore must be planned backwards from the sale date rather than arranged after it, and buyers should confirm the current position with the Scottish Government before travelling, as these rules have changed several times this season.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: “Bluetongue has moved quickly this year, and the questions coming into the NSA office show how much conflicting advice is going around. Rams are where poor information costs the most, because a fertility problem picked up in September does not show itself until scanning, and by then nothing can be done. The guidance published in the last fortnight is written by vets, it is free, and it takes 20 minutes to read. That is a good use of 20 minutes at this time of year.”

NSA is carrying both sets of guidance through, the NSA Weekly Email Update and NSA social media channels through the tupping period. NSA is encouraging farmers to raise vaccination, ram assessment and any planned movement into Scotland at their next vet visit rather than waiting for a problem to appear.