SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said the AERA Minister and his department must respond urgently to the discovery of bluetongue in the North.
He was speaking after two confirmed cases in Co Down.
Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said, “We know the harmful impact that bluetongue can have on livestock and how easily it can spread. There will be understandable alarm among our farming community at this discovery and while the response to isolate these cases is welcome, we now need urgent action to ensure it has not already spread more widely.
“Key to dealing with this issue will be an all-island response and I note that the Minister has already been in contact with his counterpart in the South. When issues like this emerge we cannot ignore that we are on a small island and working together is essential to combat threats of this nature.
“We need to ensure that vaccines are available for the farmers who want to use them and that every possible measure is taken without delay. The Minister must act decisively now to contain this and prevent wider spread.”
ENDS
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