China has reinstated its suspension on beef imports from Ireland just two weeks after resuming trade, following the detection of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in four cattle herds in County Wexford. This marks the second major disruption to Irish beef exports to China since 2024, when shipments were halted due to an atypical BSE case.
The Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) confirmed it notified Chinese authorities of the outbreak in compliance with bilateral trade protocols. While bluetongue poses no threat to human health, the virus affects cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, and goats, causing symptoms ranging from oral ulcers and breathing difficulties to fetal deformities.
Agricultural officials emphasize that current cold weather conditions significantly reduce transmission risks, as the virus is primarily spread through biting midges that become inactive in lower temperatures. Despite this, DAFM has intensified surveillance and tracing efforts across affected regions.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is investigating a suspected BTV case in County Down’s existing Temporary Control Zone, implementing additional movement restrictions for high-risk animals. Both jurisdictions had approved a vaccine against the BTV-3 strain last year, though vaccination campaigns remain in early stages.
The current outbreak originated in the Netherlands in 2023, where it decimated sheep populations before spreading to the UK via windborne midges. The virus demonstrates varying severity across regions, with some animals showing minimal symptoms while others suffer severe complications.