Ministers Heydon and Muir welcome restoration of trade of cattle and sheep between Ireland and Northern Ireland

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, today announced that movement of cattle and sheep, for production and breeding, between Ireland and Northern Ireland can recommence from Friday, 6 March, 2026.

Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting ruminant animals such as cattle and sheep. While it poses no risk to human health or food safety, it can have significant animal health and trade implications. There are multiple serotypes of the virus (1-30).

Since Ireland confirmed its first case of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 (BTV3) in January 2026, only movements of cattle and sheep direct to slaughter have been allowed as certification requirements could not be met. Engagement has been ongoing between veterinary authorities in Ireland and Northern Ireland, and with the EU Commission to establish a pathway to restore trade flows. A derogation from certain certification requirements is being put in place which will allow cattle and sheep to move with no restrictions from other member states where BTV3 is the only serotype present, as is the case in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Announcing the measure, Minister Heydon said: “I welcome the restoration of trade of cattle and sheep for breeding and production between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since the first case of Bluetongue was identified in Ireland, there has been significant interruption to this cross-border trade. This trade is essential to the all-island agri-food economy. I am happy to announce Minister Muir and myself are applying derogations that will allow movements from Northern Ireland to Ireland and vice versa to recommence from Friday.”

The Minister added: “Protecting animal health remains our top priority. At the same time, it is essential that we minimise unnecessary disruption to farmers and the agri-food sector. This derogation, agreed following consultation with farmers’ organisations, and in close collaboration with authorities in Northern Ireland, provides a balanced and proportionate solution that will allow trade to resume. We would like to thank all those who participated in this consultation. My Department has been in contact with the European Commission. Ireland’s derogation will be published and will be in place on Friday, 6 March.”

Minister Muir said: “Protecting animal health remains paramount, but I recognise the significant disruption that trade restrictions have caused for farmers and the wider agri‑food sector across both jurisdictions. This balanced and proportionate approach, developed in close collaboration with farming organisations and wider industry, will allow trade to resume while managing disease risk."
“From Friday, animals will once again be able to move freely between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I would continue to urge farmers to source responsibly and, in consultation with their private veterinary practitioner, to consider vaccination against BTV‑3 as we continue to monitor the situation closely. The derogation will also enable removal of the BTV Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Co. Down at the same time permitting free movement within Northern Ireland.”

Under the terms of the derogation, movements of susceptible livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, cervids and other ungulates) will no longer require any certification in relation to BTV when moving from other Member States where BTV3 is the only serotype reported. For susceptible animals moving from Member States where serotypes other than BTV3 are reported, additional risk mitigation measures will be required. There are two options:

1. Vaccination and negative virus (PCR) pre-movement testing

or

1. Positive antibody and negative virus (PCR) pre-movement testing

These requirements will go some way to mitigate the risk of introduction of other serotypes onto the island, however farmers should remain aware of the disease situation on the continent and make informed decisions prior to importing susceptible livestock.

Both Ministers emphasised the importance of continued cooperation between their Departments to address shared challenges and opportunities.
Stakeholders, including farming organisations, livestock marts, and exporters, are being notified directly of the operational details.
The Department will continue to engage with industry representatives and their counterparts in Northern Ireland to respond swiftly to any further developments.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• These derogations do not apply to movements of susceptible species from Ireland to Great Britain or Great Britain into Ireland.
• There are no public health risks associated with bluetongue. Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety; meat and milk are safe to eat. To make these derogations operational, the Member State of destination must inform the Commission and the other Member States that the movements in compliance with certain animal health conditions are authorised. Information on each Member State derogation is published under the “Movements within the EU” section of this website: Bluetongue - Food Safety - European Commission
• Going forward, the “current situation of bluetongue in Ireland” section of www.gov.ie/bluetongue will now be updated weekly on Tuesday afternoons.
• BTV3 is a virus which can be spread to cattle, sheep and other ruminants by midges, via transplacental infection of pregnant animals, and via germinal products such as semen. The virus can only replicate in midges when the average daily temperatures exceed 12 degrees.
• There are three BTV3 vaccines approved for use in Ireland.
• To obtain and use BTV3 vaccines, a license is required from the Department. Details of how to apply for a license to obtain and use BTV3 vaccines have been published on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/bluetongue.
• The pricing and supply of BTV3 vaccines is a commercial matter and the Department has no role in setting or controlling prices.
• Further information on bluetongue, including clinical signs and how to report a suspect outbreak, can be found at www.gov.ie/bluetongue.