The National Sheep Association (NSA) Northern Ireland (NI) Region is deeply concerned about the ongoing illegal importation of livestock from Great Britain, a reckless practice that jeopardises the health and welfare of Northern Ireland's sheep flock.

Despite import restrictions in place since November 2023 to prevent the spread of bluetongue, Northern Ireland continues to experience individuals continuing to flout the law, putting the entire region’s industry at risk.

"It is incredibly disappointing to see such blatant disregard for the biosecurity measures designed to protect our sheep," says Edward Adamson, NSA Northern Ireland Region Vice Chair. "The potential consequences of an outbreak are severe, not just for individual farmers, but for the reputation and economic viability of the entire Northern Irish sheep sector."

The recent incident involving the slaughter of 65 illegally imported sheep at a local port underscores the gravity of the situation. While NSA Northern Ireland Region commends the vigilance of port authorities, the needless culling of these animals highlights the devastating consequences of illegal activity.

NSA Northern Ireland Region Chair Alastair Armstrong comments: “This incident should serve as a stark reminder to everyone involved in the sheep industry. The risks associated with illegal imports are simply too high. We must all play our part in safeguarding our flocks and upholding the integrity of Northern Ireland's disease-free status."

Beyond the immediate threat of bluetongue, illegal imports also raise the spectre of other devastating diseases, such as Maedi-Visna (MV), which can have long-term, debilitating effects on sheep. An outbreak of either disease could have far-reaching consequences, including:

Animal welfare: Bluetongue and MV can cause significant suffering in affected animals.
Economic losses: Outbreaks can lead to production losses, trade restrictions, and increased costs for farmers.
Damage to reputation: A disease outbreak could tarnish Northern Ireland's reputation as a source of high-quality sheep, impacting export opportunities.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker adds: “NSA understands the frustration of some farmers unable to import stock due to current restrictions but recent cases of attempted illegal imports will go no way to help any future carefully considered relaxing of these laws.”

NSA Northern Ireland Region calls on all stakeholders to work together to prevent further illegal imports by increasing vigilance at ports and enforcing stricter penalties. The Region also believes that industry wide cooperation is vital to ensure the highest biosecurity standards can be upheld.

Mr Adamson concludes: "The future of our industry depends on collective responsibility. We urge everyone to prioritise the health and welfare of our sheep by adhering to the import restrictions and reporting any suspicious activity. By working together, we can protect our flocks and ensure a sustainable future for the Northern Irish sheep sector."