Ask Onix
China suspends Irish beef imports amid Bluetongue virus detection
China has reinstated a ban on beef imports from the Republic of Ireland just two weeks after reopening the market, following the detection of Bluetongue virus (BTV) in four cattle herds in County Wexford.
Background of the ban
Irish beef exports to China were previously halted in 2024 after an isolated case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, was confirmed in a cow. Under a bilateral agreement, any detection of BSE triggers an automatic suspension of beef shipments to China.
Bluetongue virus details
The latest ban stems from the identification of BTV, a disease transmitted by biting midges. While the virus poses no threat to human health, it can cause severe symptoms in livestock, including ulcers, fever, lameness, and reproductive issues such as stillbirths and foetal deformities. Affected species include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and camelids like llamas and alpacas.
Cold weather conditions have limited the spread of the virus, but authorities remain cautious. The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) confirmed ongoing surveillance and tracing efforts to contain the outbreak.
Regional impact and response
In Northern Ireland, a suspected BTV case is under investigation in Portavogie, County Down, within an existing Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) established in November 2025. Additional restrictions are in place for moving high-risk animals within and out of the zone.
A financial support scheme has been introduced to assist affected farmers, and a vaccine approved last year is available in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Global context of the outbreak
The current BTV-3 strain originated in the Netherlands in 2023, where it led to the deaths of tens of thousands of sheep. Windborne midges later spread the virus to livestock in southeastern England. However, the severity of the disease varies by region, with some animals showing mild symptoms and recovering.
Next steps
DAFM has notified Chinese authorities of the BTV outbreak as required by their export agreement. The department continues to monitor the situation closely, with no immediate indication of when the ban might be lifted.
