The UK Government has confirmed additional measures have been introduced to “mitigate” the spread of the bluetongue virus (BTV-3) including extending the restriction zone.
Because further bluetongue cases have been identified close to the edge of the restricted zones (RZs) two previous RZs have now been merged and extended to create one large zone in the east of England, running from East Riding in Yorkshire to Kent.
In addition to this East Riding and Lincolnshire have also been designated “high-risk counties” which means that farmers can vaccinate their animals with the three unauthorised bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccines.
The new extended RZ now also covers all of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex.
Bluetongue
The deputy UK chief veterinary officer Ele Brown said the Government appreciates that the restrictions have an impact on the day to day business of farming.
But she also warned that it is “vital all farmers and keepers within bluetongue control zones adhere to the restrictions and only move animals when it’s absolutely essential to prevent the disease spreading to their herds”.
“We are committed to working with everyone affected and urge people to report livestock they suspect have the disease.
“We will continue to keep control zones under review,” Brown added.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has stressed that “all keepers of susceptible animals” – which includes cattle, sheep, goats, deer and other ruminants and camelids including llamas and alpacas – in the restricted zones will need to follow strict rules on animal and germ cell product movements.
“These restrictions mean that susceptible animals cannot be moved out of the zone without a specific licence.
“A general licence to move animals to designated abattoirs is also available. Movements within a zone are also permitted,” Defra has outlined.
According to Jenny Stewart, the chief executive of the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, bluetongue cases are continuing to rise in England and northern Europe.
It is estimated that up to 95 farms which have reported bluetongue virus cases in the UK to date.
Stewart has reminded farmers and keepers of the “importance of monitoring their livestock and taking up free testing where necessary”.
“Scientists, vets and field teams from the Animal and Plant Health Agency are working hard to help tackle bluetongue virus and ensure farmers are kept up to date and supported,” she added.
