Just as last month's edition went to press, the news that the much feared Bluetongue disease had struck in the UK hit the headlines.
Not only was Foot and Mouth to be contended with, but the midge-borne Bluetongue virus was now confirmed.
As it seems to be spreading farm by farm on the east coast of England the alert has now prodded the Department of Agriculture in Ireland to step up its preparations for the arrival of the disease in Ireland.
The spread has widened in Britain, and Denmark has confirmed its first case of Bluetongue in sheep, proving that the virus has travelled further than at first thought.
The bottom line is that the authorities in the South are expecting it to arrive. Fortress Ireland may well be breached by the tiniest disease vector - the dreaded midge!