Vaccination against bluetongue will be included as an option for farmers participating in two schemes being implemented by the Department of Agriculture this year.
Bluetongue has been a concern for many farmers since the first case was detected in Ireland in January of this year.
The vaccine is to be included as an option in both the beef and sheep welfare schemes.
Vaccination can reduce the impact and severity of bluetongue virus (BTV) on livestock and thus mitigate both animal health and welfare issues and the production losses which an infection may cause.
Protection against viruses such as clostridial diseases and calf pneumonia were funded under last year’s schemes, and will be available this time around as well.
The move comes after BTV was detected in herds in Wicklow, Wexford and Louth earlier this year
It is expected that the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) will open for applications in the first half of April with the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) due to open in August as it has in previous years.