China has suspended imports of Irish beef after cases of bluetongue disease were confirmed in cattle in Ireland.
The outbreak was first detected in Wexford last week, with three additional herds now testing positive for the virus. In the initial herd, seven cattle were infected. Officials confirmed that none of the animals showed clinical signs of the disease.
Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said it has been formally notified by China that beef imports from Ireland have been temporarily suspended from January 27, 2026. The Agriculture Minister described the move as “extremely disappointing”, especially as it comes less than two weeks after China resumed imports, which had been halted since September 2024 following an atypical BSE case.
The department said discussions are ongoing with Beijing’s agriculture authorities and the Embassy of Ireland in China in an effort to resolve the suspension as quickly as possible.
Bluetongue is a viral animal disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Crucially, authorities stressed that it does not pose any risk to human health or food safety. However, the disease has serious trade implications, as many non-EU countries require disease-free status for imports.
As a result, exports of cattle and sheep to non-EU markets, including smaller markets such as the United Arab Emirates, are expected to be suspended for up to 12 months.
The virus is not contagious between animals and is mainly spread by biting midges. Officials believe wider spread is unlikely at present, as midges cannot reproduce at temperatures below 12°C, and current weather conditions are unfavourable for transmission.
The department said monitoring and testing will continue in the coming days, with further results expected soon.