Latest news with #BTV
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Hive Digital Technologies: Scaling Up to Shape the Next Era of Bitcoin
A green-powered expansion plan aims to position Hive among the top players in global digital mining In a world where digital finance is becoming less of a concept and more of a cornerstone, Hive Digital Technologies is acting fast. The company is set to quadruple operations in 2025, with a clear goal: to secure 3% of the global bitcoin mining network. What sets Hive apart is its commitment to green energy, building a tech-forward infrastructure that's both scalable and environmentally conscious. With this expansion, Hive isn't just riding the crypto wave—it's laying down long-term roots in the evolving digital asset economy. For those watching the future of finance unfold, Hive's momentum reflects the growing intersection of blockchain, sustainability, and global scale. Published by BTV - The Agency
Agriland
5 days ago
- Health
- Agriland
UFU: Farmers considering bluetongue vaccine should consult vet
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has advised farmers in Northern Ireland considering using a bluetongue vaccine to consult with their vet. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has permitted the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing. The UFU noted that Northern Ireland remains free of the virus and this decision provides livestock keepers with an additional tool as a precautionary, secondary line of defence against the disease. Bluetongue is a notifiable exotic viral disease which can cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species, such as cattle, sheep and goats, along with camelids. The virus, which does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, is primarily spread by the bite of infected midges, which are more active in warmer months Bluetongue UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy said the approval of these vaccines may offer farmers 'another option in managing potential risks'. 'It's important to understand that while these vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission, they are intended to reduce the severity of clinical signs and mortality in affected animals. 'Any farmers who are considering vaccination must consult their private veterinary surgeon. 'This will enable them to discuss whether vaccination is appropriate for their specific livestock and farm system, taking into account factors such as the timings of any vaccination programme and future animal movements or buying and selling policies,' he said. 'Our primary aim remains to keep bluetongue out of Northern Ireland through robust bio-security measures, continued vigilance, and the safe sourcing of livestock. 'We urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for signs of BTV, especially as we enter the high-risk period, and to contact their private veterinary practitioner with any concerns,' Cuddy added. The UFU deputy president said that the decision to vaccinate is an individual one for each farmer, to be made in consultation with their veterinary professional. DAERA DAERA has said that if a farmer decides to vaccinate they must have a specific licence from the department to be able to obtain the vaccine. The department said that vaccinating animals does not impact on trade or movement of animals so long as Northern Ireland remains BTV-3 free. However, DAERA said that the use of vaccines may limit use of negative serology for germinal product certification to some third countries, requiring PCR instead. Farmers are being reminded that the direct movement of all live ruminants and camelids from Britain to Northern Ireland is still suspended and the use of approved unauthorised vaccines does not change this.
Agriland
6 days ago
- Health
- Agriland
DAFM favours early detection of bluetongue over vaccine
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said its current approach to bluetongue is early detection and eradication, where possible. Bluetongue is a notifiable exotic viral disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) which can cause severe clinical signs in ruminant species, such as cattle, sheep and goats, along with camelids. The virus, which does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, is primarily spread by the bite of infected midges, which are more active in warmer months Ireland is currently free from the disease, however remains at risk of introduction, as it the virus is present across Europe. Vaccine There are three inactivated vaccines currently available for bluetongue serotype-3 (BTV3) in Europe. DAFM said that all three vaccines claim to reduce the levels of virus in the blood of infected animals and reduce clinical signs of disease. However, they do not claim to prevent animals from becoming infected. 'This means that vaccinated animals may still be capable of becoming infected with the disease, increasing the risk of onward spread without displaying clinical signs of disease. 'This would likely delay early detection of disease, reducing the opportunity for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to use the appropriate controls necessary to prevent the virus from becoming widely established in the midge population. 'Once established in the midge population, bluetongue is very challenging to control,' a department spokesperson told Agriland. The spokesperson added that 'the department's current approach to bluetongue, as with all exotic diseases, is early detection and eradication, where possible'. 'In the event that bluetongue becomes established in the midge population and in susceptible animals in Ireland, vaccination would become an important tool to minimise production losses,' they said. DAFM said that it continues to monitor the bluetongue situation across Europe and Britain, with 'ongoing contingency planning' for the management of an outbreak of the disease in Ireland. The department said it also undertakes regular communication and collaboration with colleagues in Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in preparing for such an eventuality. Bluetongue On Wednesday (July 23), the DAERA permitted the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing. While Northern Ireland also remains free of the disease, DAERA said that livestock keepers and vets will now be able to take early, informed action as a precautionary, secondary line of defence against the disease. Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said he took the decision to allow the use of the BTV-3 vaccines to give farmers and livestock keepers 'an additional safeguard alongside our surveillance, prompt detection and control'. 'It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect their flocks and herds,' the minister said. According to DAERA, the decision brings Northern Ireland into line with the voluntary, licensed use of BTV-3 vaccines in Scotland, Wales, and England, and reflects the evolving risk picture and demand for tools than can help build resilience against animal disease threats. Guidance is available on the DAERA website to farmers, veterinary surgeons and the wider industry on how the vaccine licensing process will work in practice. DAERA is urging all farmers to be vigilant for signs of the disease.
Agriland
7 days ago
- Health
- Agriland
DAERA approves voluntary BTV-3 vaccine in NI
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has permitted the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing. These vaccines are intended to reduce the severity of clinical signs and mortality in affected animals, though they do not prevent infection or transmission. While Northern Ireland remains free of the disease, livestock keepers and veterinary practitioners will now be able to take early, informed action as a precautionary, secondary line of defence against the disease. The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said: 'My department is continuing to take all necessary actions to protect Northern Ireland from an incursion of Bluetongue virus. This includes our recently published BTV-3 Disease Control Framework. 'While we remain BTV free, I have now taken the decision to allow the use of the BTV-3 vaccines to give our farmers and livestock keepers an additional safeguard alongside our surveillance, prompt detection and control. 'It aims to provide an additional tool to help protect their flocks and herds,' the minister added. DAERA According to DAREA, the decision brings Northern Ireland into line with the voluntary, licensed use of BTV-3 vaccines in Scotland, Wales, and England, and reflects the evolving risk picture and demand for tools than can help build resilience against animal disease threats. The Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher said: 'Clear guidance is available on the DAERA website to farmers, veterinary surgeons and the wider industry on how the vaccine licensing process will work in practice. 'We continue to urge all livestock keepers to remain vigilant for the signs of BTV as we enter the high-risk period and advise them to contact their private veterinary practitioner should they have any concerns,' Dooher added. DAERA is urging all farmers to be vigilant for sings of the disease.
Agriland
23-07-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Vet org: NI ‘disadvantaged' and ‘under-prepared' for bluetongue outbreak
The Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practicing in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) has said they are 'at a loss' to understand why Northern Ireland is the only UK region that has not yet been permitted to vaccinate against bluetongue virus (BTV). The organisation believes that Northern Ireland is 'disadvantaged' and 'under-prepared' for an outbreak that seems inevitable, because vaccinating against BTV3 has not yet been authorised there. AVSPNI president, Melanie Spahn, said she wrote to senior Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) staff last week to suggest a strong case for bluetongue vaccination in Northern Ireland. Spahn said vaccination should be carried out in an 'organised manner now, rather than doing so in haste after clinical cases have already been identified here'. The AVSPNI stress that now is the time when midges are most prevalent and active, but the characteristics of the vaccines themselves mean that it is important to vaccinate before the breeding season begins. The association feel the window of opportunity for action is 'closing fast' and farmers must 'remain vigilant', looking for BTV signs. The AVSPNI said: 'In cattle, a raised temperature and a drop in milk yield may be the only signs of infection and are therefore hard to spot. 'The main signs in sheep are mouth ulcers, drooling, swelling of the head and neck, and lameness. 'As well as the risk of an outbreak caused by midges, there is the risk of importing the disease to Northern Ireland by importing infected animals of any species. With cases in the UK, that risk has heightened considerably.' Bluetongue risk The first cases of bluetongue in the UK for the 2025/2026 season were identified in cattle in Herefordshire, and a sheep in Oxfordshire on July 11. A further outbreak occurred in Buckinghamshire the following day. Given that the virus is spread by biting midges, the disease can spread very quickly in favourable weather conditions. The AVSPNI has highlighted that in the present circumstance, the risk of the disease spreading to Northern Ireland livestock is very high, with DAERA veterinary surgeons commenting publicly about the inevitability of BTV arriving at some point. The veterinary association confirm that they are not calling for 'compulsory vaccination' against bluetongue, but would like farmers to have the option to protect their flocks and herd. According to the AVSPNI, Scottish farmers are already doing so and the organisation feel the risk to Northern Ireland livestock is comparable.
