Bluetongue vaccine to be allowed in Ireland next year

A bluetongue vaccine is to be allowed in Ireland in 2026, the Irish agriculture minister has said.

Martin Heydon said on Wednesday that bluetongue vaccination will be allowed in cattle and sheep in Ireland next year after suspected cases at four farms in Co Down.

Bluetongue was first confirmed in a herd at a farm near Bangor last month, and there have been other suspected cases in Greyabbey.

Bluetongue is an animal disease that affects livestock including cattle and sheep as well as goats, deer and llamas.

It does not affect humans or food safety and is primarily transmitted through midges.

The current outbreaks are from the strain bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV3).

Mr Heydon said: “My objective has always been clear: to detect any incursion of BTV3 as early as possible, to respond as effectively as possible, and to reduce any disease impact on Irish cattle and sheep, and thus the consequences for Irish farmers, as far as possible.

“We now know that BTV3 is present on the island, following the four outbreaks detected in Co Down, Northern Ireland.

“This changes the risk picture and unfortunately makes it much more likely that the disease will spread during the high-risk season in summer 2026.

“For that reason, I have made the decision to permit the use of vaccination against BTV3 in Irish livestock.”

Speaking about vaccination, Mr Heydon said: “The main way this virus spreads is via midges, and we know that right now, it is too cold for this to happen in Ireland.

“The high-risk period will be summer 2026, and farmers can consider whether to use BTV3 vaccines in spring 2026 to protect their stock in advance of any midge-borne virus spread in the warmer months.

“I advise cattle and sheep farmers who are interested in BTV3 vaccination to discuss the option with their veterinary practitioner.”

Details of how to apply for a licence to obtain and use BTV3 vaccines are to be provided by the Department in the coming days.