China suspends Irish beef imports again following bluetongue outbreak

CHINA – The latest ban follows the detection of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in four cattle herds in County Wexford, with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirming that Chinese authorities were notified in line with the terms of the export agreement.

Irish beef exports to China had only recently resumed after being suspended in 2024, when an atypical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, was identified in a cow.

Under the protocol agreed with China, any confirmed case of BSE automatically triggers a suspension of exports.

While bluetongue poses no risk to human health, its detection has significant trade implications. 

The virus is spread by biting midges, and officials say the cold winter conditions mean the infection is unlikely to spread widely at present. Nevertheless, DAFM said active surveillance, testing and tracing of animal movements are continuing.

In Northern Ireland, a suspected case of bluetongue is currently under investigation in Portavogie, County Down. The case falls within an existing Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) that has been in place since November 2025. Additional restrictions apply to the movement of high-risk animals within and outside the zone, and a limited financial support scheme is available to farmers affected by these controls.

A bluetongue vaccine was approved in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland last year, though uptake has varied and vaccination programmes take time to deliver widespread protection.

Impact on farmers

The renewed suspension of exports to China has heightened uncertainty for beef farmers, particularly those already dealing with rising input costs, tight margins and volatile markets. 

China is seen as a strategically important destination for Irish beef, especially for certain cuts, and repeated trade disruptions undermine confidence across the sector.

Movement restrictions linked to bluetongue controls can also have serious consequences for farmers, including delays in selling animals, reduced prices, and additional costs associated with housing and feeding livestock for longer periods. For sheep farmers in particular, bluetongue can result in high mortality rates and severe production losses.

Bluetongue beyond Ireland

Ireland is not alone in grappling with the disease. The current strain, BTV-3, first emerged in the Netherlands in 2023, where tens of thousands of sheep died during the initial outbreak.

 From there, infected midges were carried by wind across parts of mainland Europe and into the south-east of England, leading to further infections in cattle and sheep.

Farmers in affected regions of continental Europe have reported significant losses due to animal deaths, reduced fertility, stillbirths and restrictions on livestock movements. 

In some countries, export bans and internal trade controls have compounded the financial impact, particularly for smaller family-run farms.

The severity of bluetongue appears to vary by region and species. While some animals develop serious symptoms others show only mild signs and eventually recover. Nonetheless, veterinary authorities across Europe continue to warn that the disease poses an ongoing risk to livestock industries.

As surveillance continues in Ireland and neighbouring regions, farming organisations are urging authorities to provide clear guidance, adequate compensation and long-term support to help farmers weather the economic impact of recurring animal health crises.

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