A leading Co. Antrim flock owner has confirmed the enhanced threat now posed by Maedi Visna (MV) disease to the entire Irish sheep industry.
Campbell Tweed, who farms close to Larne, believes two key factors have come into play, where the active spread of MV is concerned.
Tweed confirmed that disease levels are fast increasing within sheep flocks throughout Great Britain.
“In addition, we now have the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs proposing to stop its current MV controls, where sheep imports from Great Britain into Northern Ireland are concerned.
“If MV gets a real foothold anywhere in Ireland the potential for spread across the entire island is significant. MV will create severe economic challenges within all flocks infected with the virus.
“There is no cure for the disease. Its slow development within infected animals means that symptoms will not be picked up in young, breeding stock,” he outlined.
Tweed added that: “Procedures represent the only way of identifying MV infected animals at that early stage. Every effort must be made to prohibit the importation of potentially infected animals on to the island of Ireland.”
Maedi Visna
Meanwhile, The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and National Sheep Association (NSA) say the changes to Northern Ireland’s MV free sheep status and the withdrawal of department of agriculture funding, is concerning for the future of the sheep sector.
UFU hill farming chair Alastair Armstrong said:
“Keeping Northern Ireland free from MV is vital for our animal health and trading status.
“However, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is withdrawing its funding for MV testing and is asking the industry to implement a scheme that would be funded by farmers.
“Any type of testing, accreditation or control scheme will be an additional expense to farmers at a time when they are already facing low profit margins.
“The loss of MV control measures at borders is a major concern because if the disease is transmitted into Northern Ireland’s flocks, they would become less efficient, profitable and sustainable.
“The main clinical signs of MV are progressive paralysis, wasting, arthritis and chronic mastitis and is detected in older animals as symptoms lie dormant for several years.”
Moving forward, the UFU and NSA confirm they will continue to engage with industry stakeholders to find a workable solution that will protect the sheep industry from MV and safeguard the future of the sector.
