Research Raises Further Concerns over Bluetongue

Researchers from the University of Liverpool are predicting that rising temperatures in Northern Europe will mean an increase in bluetongue.

Between 1998 and 2010 more than 80,000 outbreaks of bluetongue in Europe were reported to the World Animal Health Organisation, and millions of animals died as a result of the disease. Bluetongue was previously restricted to Africa and Asia.

Liverpool researchers produced a mathematical model that explains how the risk of an outbreak of bluetongue virus in Europe changes under different climate conditions.

In Italy, an outbreak of anthrax has been reported to the OIE.

The outbreak in Campania affects the whole country and the cases are so far unresolved.

The source of the outbreak is likely to be due to the introduction of new live animals.

However, there is better news for beef farmers in Ireland as Tunisia has now amended its BSE regulations to be in line with the EU and this has reopened a market for Irish beef.

In the US, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to safety, urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to base all regulatory actions on science.

The move follows the US Department of Agriculture announcement that the agency is releasing a policy document declaring six additional strains of non-O157 STECs, including O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145, as adulterants. The agency announced it will require the industry to begin testing beef trim for these six non-O157 STEC strains from 5 March, 2012.