Brown confirms 11 bluetongue cases in UK
Saturday, 29 September 2007 23:14The British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has said there are now 11 confirmed cases of bluetongue disease in the UK.
Speaking from Downing Street, Mr Brown promised that the British government will do all it can to eradicate the disease.
He said that the Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, will be consulting with the farming industry over coming days on the financial implications of the outbreak.
IFA President, Padraig Walshe, said it was not unexpected that there were now eleven cases in the UK given the virulent nature of the disease.
He said the increased outbreak emphasised the need for the highest level of vigilance here to keep the island of Ireland Bluetongue free.
Mr Walshe said the strictest bio-security measures must be maintained at all points of entry to protect Ireland's herd health status.
The IFA President said there must be a review of the policy that allows transportation of high-risk cargoes from areas that are affected by Bluetongue.
