Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, today announced that vaccination against bluetongue will be included as an option for farmers participating in two schemes being implemented by his Department this year. 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.

The Minister said:

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 did in previous years. Full details of the structure and format of these schemes will be announced nearer to relevant launch dates but they will replicate the practical measures contained in the schemes implemented in 2025.

In 2026 the NSWS will include an option to vaccinate, and participants may choose to vaccinate against either BTV or clostridial diseases. In 2026 the BWS will include an option to vaccinate, and participants may choose to vaccinate against either BTV, clostridial diseases or calf pneumonia.

The Minister added:

Farmers may obtain BTV vaccines from their veterinary practitioner, under licence from the Department. Farmers interested in obtaining BTV vaccines should discuss this with their vet. Details on the licence requirements, as well as general information on the disease, are available at www.gov.ie/bluetongue.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Bluetongue is a viral disease caused which can cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species such as cattle, sheep and goats, deer and camelids (alpacas and llamas). There are many different serotypes of bluetongue virus and bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV3) is the serotype circulating in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

There is no public health risk associated with bluetongue. While BTV does not affect human health or food safety, it can have significant animal health and trade implications and can cause economic losses at farm level. Cattle and sheep farmers are encouraged to seek veterinary advice on whether vaccination is appropriate to their circumstances.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, is undertaking ongoing surveillance nationally, covering all parts of the country. This includes the surveillance at abattoirs, testing of animals submitted to its network of Regional Veterinary Laboratories; investigation of clinical suspects reported to it by farmers or vets; and targeted surveillance in counties identified by the modelling undertaken by UCD.

Where appropriate, farmers can vaccinate during Spring to ensure their stock are protected in advance of the higher-risk summer months when warmer temperatures make virus replication possible within infected midges.

Further guidance on BTV can be found on the government website at: www.gov.ie/bluetongue