No certainty for pedigree breeders on reopening of GB/Irish livestock trade

The import or export of breeding cattle and sheep directly between Great Britain (GB) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) is currently not possible. In addition, there is no certainty as to when this situation may change, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Livestock imports from GB to ROI were suspended in late 2023 following confirmation of a bluetongue case in England. Movement restrictions of livestock from the ROI to Northern Ireland (NI) were suspended in January 2026, following the confirmation of bluetongue in Ireland. While restrictions on the trade of livestock between ROI and NI were removed in March of this year, but restrictions remain between ROI and mainland Britain.