Additional visitors to the island over the TT period do not fundamentally increase the risk of the spread of foot and mouth or blue tongue, the DEFA Minister Clare Barber has told Tynwald.
Her comments came amid concerns over the extension of Blue Tongue restricted zones to Heysham and rising Foot and Mouth cases in Europe.
Mrs Barber confirmed the diseases pose different threats, Blue Tongue is spread by midges, not people, while Foot and Mouth risks stem from contaminated imports.
“The main potential route for Blue Tongue to reach the island would be from imported animals or midges blown across the Irish Sea,” she said, noting a ban on susceptible animal imports since November 2023.
For Foot and Mouth, restrictions are in place on personal meat and dairy imports from outside Great Britain.
Signage
Signage at ports, including Douglas, Heysham, and Liverpool, warns travellers, while radio ads on Energy FM promote biosecurity awareness.
Jason Moorhouse MHK raised concerns about campers carrying midges or contaminated gear, but Mrs Barber said current measures, including farmer outreach, are sufficient.
Gary Clueit MLC questioned germinal product imports, such as livestock semen, which Mrs Barber confirmed remain permitted under strict controls.
Julie Edge MHK urged tighter checks on food at UK ports, though Mrs Barber clarified midges do not transmit Blue Tongue via food.
Posters will stay up all summer, with Mrs Barber offering to share them digitally for wider distribution.
“We are relying on the UK’s measures for transit passengers,” she said, praising collaboration with farmers and port staff to protect the island’s agriculture.
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