Irish cattle can now be exported to Belgium, as the country has instituted a successful Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) eradication programme. This is despite no established Irish IBR programme – making the export of cattle quite difficult.
The announcement comes as Belgium has enforced strict regulations regarding its IBR programme, which includes that the following that should be adhered to by Irish farmers should they wish to export cattle there:
- Animals are kept in an approved quarantine establishment for at least 30 days prior to departure
- Animals have been subjected to an EU-approved blood test for IBR, with a negative result, carried out on a sample taken no less than 21 days after commencement of the quarantine
As EU countries address regulations regarding IBR, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) says the EU runs a single market for livestock and any exported animals must fulfill the animal health requirements of the Member State of destination.
As the export of cattle to Belgium now changes, there have been calls for the establishment of an IBR programme to avoid export of cattle there being turned away. IBR vaccinations are done by most Irish cattle farmers, but they say there is a “lack” of support from Government regarding the issue.
LSL News.