ICSA Suckler chair Eoin Ryan has said bluetongue vaccination must be supported as an additional measure and not at the expense of core animal health actions, following the Department of Agriculture’s decision to include it as an option under the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme. “The Department’s decision effectively forces farmers to choose between vaccinating for bluetongue or continuing with essential measures such as clostridial vaccines or pneumonia protection. That is not a position any farmer should be put in. It is simply shifting risk from one area to another rather than strengthening overall herd health,” he said.

Continuing, Mr Ryan said, “Bluetongue represents a very real and immediate threat to the national herd, with the potential to cause serious losses if farmers are not properly supported to vaccinate. But the response cannot come at the expense of other critical measures. The correct approach would be to provide additional, targeted funding, rather than trying to absorb it into already stretched schemes.”

Mr Ryan said the timing of this decision adds to the pressure on farmers. “Spring is the key window for vaccinating calves, and with the breeding season about to commence, suckler farmers also need to be making decisions now around protecting breeding stock. In the case of bluetongue, animals should be vaccinated well in advance of breeding, so clarity and support are essential at this point to ensure farmers can act in time to protect their herds.”

“With the increase in livestock values over the last 24 months, the need to vaccinate has never been more important to prevent the loss of valuable animals. Farmers know their own risks, particularly when it comes to clostridial diseases, which remain a serious threat in many areas.”

“We have already seen situations, particularly last autumn, where shippers were reluctant to purchase animals that had not been vaccinated for pneumonia. Farmers need to act now to avoid a repeat of that scenario later in the year, where animals become difficult to sell due to incomplete health measures. With the correct weaning practices and an adequate dosing programme, weanlings should not have issues with stress-related pneumonia in the backend. When farmers get the full vaccination programme right, they are protecting their stock from the majority of diseases and ensuring those animals command a stronger price in the sale ring.”

However, he said the current approach is further undermined by funding issues within the scheme. “The Beef Welfare Scheme was effectively underfunded last year, with payment rates reduced due to oversubscription. That meant farmers carried out the required actions but were not fully compensated.”

“At a minimum, the Department should now examine whether any unspent funds under schemes such as SCEP can be used to finance additional vaccination measures. Farmers cannot be expected to absorb more cost or risk on the back of already reduced payments. If the objective is to build resilience in the suckler herd, then the policy must support farmers in doing more, not force them into doing less.”

ENDS