Bluetongue Vaccination Options Expanded for Irish Farmers
Irish farmers participating in the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) and the Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) will now have the option to vaccinate against bluetongue virus (BTV) as part of their participation, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, announced today.
What is Bluetongue?
Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting ruminant animals like cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and camelids (alpacas and llamas). The serotype currently circulating in Ireland and Northern Ireland is BTV3. The disease does not pose a public health risk, meaning it cannot infect people or compromise food safety, but it can have significant implications for animal health, trade, and farm economics.
Vaccination Details
The 2026 NSWS is expected to open for applications in the first half of April, while the BWS will open in August, mirroring previous years. Participants in the NSWS can choose to vaccinate against either BTV or clostridial diseases. BWS participants can opt for vaccination against BTV, clostridial diseases, or calf pneumonia.
Farmers interested in obtaining BTV vaccines must do so through their veterinary practitioner, under license from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Detailed information on licensing requirements and general disease information is available on the Department’s website.
Ongoing Surveillance and Temperature Impact
The Department is conducting ongoing national surveillance, including testing at abattoirs, analysis at Regional Veterinary Laboratories, investigation of reported cases, and targeted surveillance in specific counties identified by University College Dublin (UCD) modeling.
The spread of the virus is influenced by temperature, with replication in midges – the primary vector – unlikely when daily temperatures fall below 12°C. The recent drop in seasonal temperatures is expected to limit widespread infection at this time.
Trade Implications
The outbreak of bluetongue will likely impact exports of cattle and sheep, potentially leading to increased costs and logistical challenges to meet destination country regulations. However, there are currently no implications for exports of meat and dairy products to the EU, UK, and most other international markets.
Farmers are encouraged to consult with their veterinarians to determine if vaccination is appropriate for their specific circumstances. Vaccination during the spring can provide protection during the higher-risk summer months.
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