To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs how he is supporting farmers following the detection of Maedi Visna in Northern Ireland.

As part of my Department’s efforts to maintain a Maedi-Visna-free status for the Northern Ireland sheep flock, Department officials have for many years operated a surveillance programme, which tests any sheep and goats moved into Northern Ireland from outside the island of Ireland, and a small proportion of the indigenous Northern Ireland flock as part of the annual sheep and goat survey.

Following the recent detection of Maedi-Visna in sheep originating from Northern Ireland my Department is taking all possible actions to support local flock keepers and protect the sheep trade from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

In order to continue to assure our current Maedi-Visna free status DAERA is carrying out a veterinary investigation with the intention of identifying the extent of any spread, and then controlling and stamping out the disease. As such, officials are implementing a rigorous approach to trace, test and removal of all of the infected animals in as timely a manner as possible, in an attempt to eradicate the disease as quickly as possible. Control of the movement of infected animals is a key element of any disease control programme but I would want to emphasise that restrictions on sheep movements are only applied where disease is confirmed or suspected, and where necessary to mitigate against risk of further onward spread from the affected flock.

Financial compensation is also payable to affected flock keepers if the Department considers it necessary to slaughter any sheep for disease control purposes. Positive animals are paid at 50% of their market value up to the statutorily permissible limits, while negative in contact animals are paid at 100% market value.

My officials are actively working with those keepers affected by movement restrictions on their flocks to ensure that all necessary testing is done as promptly as possible, to allow the restrictions to be lifted at the earliest opportunity.

However, this is a difficult exercise and one uncertain of success, given the invidious nature of the disease, it’s very long incubation period and its relatively non-specific symptoms.

Hence my Department is also currently considering a number of options to maintain the benefits of Maedi-visna free status including the introduction of a Northern Ireland accreditation scheme, similar to that in operation in Great Britain; or a possible “joint” accreditation scheme with the Republic of Ireland.

Officials are working in partnership with the Scottish Rural College, key stakeholders and colleagues in the Republic of Ireland, to explore the possibility of developing and establishing a scheme which would be suitable and sustainable for our flock keepers.

While this is going on, my officials will continue to provide practical support and guidance to the local sheep industry. Officials have already met with key stakeholders, on a number of occasions, and will continue to do so, in order to keep them appraised of developments. A Press release has recently been issued and the Department has also updated its guidance on the DAERA webpages advising industry to source stock responsibly and deploy good biosecurity practices on their farms to eliminate any risk of further disease spread.