Following a constructive meeting with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ICOS has urged the authorities in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the EU to further intensify engagement and co-operation to restore normal cattle movements across the border.

Ray Doyle, Livestock and Environment Executive of ICOS said, “There are encouraging signals that DAFM may apply for an EU derogation on movements next week and in consultation with authorities in Northern Ireland, it is hoped to have livestock moving within two to three weeks.

“We are very appreciative of the work being done by DAFM in bringing forward meaningful solutions.

“The potential for a derogation on Bluetongue virus (BTV) requirements can apply to all EU Member States. The Department presented a number of options of which we believe the most favourable would be to allow movements without additional Bluetongue requirements if BTV-3 is the only variant circulating. However, within this option, DAFM have advised that extra rules would apply, when moving animals, if there are other bluetongue types circulating as well (for example BTV-1, 4, 5, 8 or 12, in addition to or instead of BTV-3).

“In those cases (above), animals would have to meet at least one of the approved options set out in regulation. One of those options is that the animal must either be vaccinated against, or have antibodies to, every bluetongue type that is circulating in that country, and it must also have a negative PCR blood test to show it is not currently infected.

“A co-ordinated, science-based and proportionate approach is essential.