Doncaster Council

Bluetongue latest situation

The situation in the UK has remained static since the last confirmed premise for BTV-8 (an imported case) was detected on 14 November 2008:
There has been no evidence of circulating disease in 2008 or 2009.
There have been no positive cases found as a result of post import tests during 2009
The whole of GB remains in a Protection Zone for BTV8

Bluetongue disease control restrictions

Bluetongue disease control restrictions are in place. 

Certain livestock movements are licensed but the movement types and conditions vary. It is important to know which controls apply to avoid spreading disease.

The Bluetongue (BTV8) Protection Zone covers all of England, Wales and Scotland and is part of the larger European BTV8 Restricted Zone which includes Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and parts of France. 

Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Please refer to the Defra website for further guidance.

Where movements are permitted, all other existing disease control requirements must be complied with. This includes statutory Tuberculosis (TB) requirements.

Movement licences
Bluetongue movement licences & guidance can be found on the following link
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/bluetongue/movements/index.htm

Vaccination
Further information about Bluetongue vaccination is available on the Defra website:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/bluetongue/control/vaccination/index.htm

Information line

Defra has a recorded information line for the farming community to use in disease outbreaks.
The information line allows farmers, livestock keepers, vets and other stakeholders to stay up-to-date with important news and information, initially about Foot and Mouth Disease and Bluetongue, from the end of a phone.

This new communication channel allows those without regular access to the Internet to listen to the latest news by simply dialling 0844 884 4600 instead. The information line will be updated regularly. Calling in costs 5p a minute (4.2p plus VAT).

Advice for farmers can also be found on the following link http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/bluetongue/farmers/index.htm

For more information please visit the Defra website: http://www.defra.gov.uk or contact the Defra Helpline on 08459 335577.