27 January 2026: Outbreak of bluetongue virus in Ireland
Updated 6 May 2026
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OVS鈥痭ote number:听 2026/01听
Date:听27听January 2026听
1. Purpose听
To inform you听of new听import restrictions on imports听of live听ruminants听from听Republic of听Ireland听due to听an outbreak听of Bluetongue Virus (BTV).听
2. Background听
Republic of听Ireland听has reported听an outbreak听of BTV-3 in cattle to WOAH, which was听confirmed听on听23 January 2026听().听As a result,听Republic of听Ireland听has lost its BTV-free status.听
In response to the outbreak, the UK Office for SPS Trade Assurance updated its听听list on听27听January 2026听to apply Supplementary Guarantee 鈥楢鈥� to the entry for听Republic of听Ireland. This guarantee requires all live ruminants exported to GB from听Republic of听Ireland听to be vaccinated against听all听serotype/s of BTV circulating in the country.听
However,听BTV-3 vaccines authorised for use in the EU cannot currently be used for trade due to the lack of information on the duration of immunity of the vaccine,听meaning they cannot听comply with听the relevant part of the certificate. Consequently, imports of live ruminants from听Republic of听Ireland听cannot be certified听for export to Great Britain.听听
In addition to the above, the loss of BTV-free status for听Ireland听means that听imports of ruminant germinal products听from听Republic of听Ireland听are now required to听comply with听the relevant testing requirements for BTV as set out in relevant health certificates听and in Appendix 2 of the听.听
3. Contact point for enquiries听
贰尘补颈濒:鈥�imports@apha.gov.uk听
Imports and鈥疎U鈥疶rade Team