The European Commission has reclassified Great Britain’s bluetongue status, in a move seen as a 'crucial step' towards BTV-free status by the JAB industry group.
The partnership says that the move from a BTV8 protection zone to a Lower Risk Zone for BTV8 will go a long way to help prevent infection, as all animals will now have to meet tighter criteria before importation from countries where bluetongue is known to circulate.
The extra conditions mean animals entering the country will have to have shown no signs of infection during a 60-day period following vaccination, or will have been vaccinated and tested 14 days after the onset of immunity, or will have been given a booster vaccination within the time period of immunity.
Pregnant animals will also have had to meet vaccination conditions before insemination or mating. Critically, the change in status does not affect the ability of keepers in GB to vaccinate their stock and exports will remain virtually unaffected. The changes come into effect on June 12.
Read a full briefing on the changes, and what they mean for your farm business, here.
Zones across the EU are subject to change. Regular updates can be found here.
JAB spokesman John Mercer said: “This move to a lower risk zone imposes tighter controls on animals brought into the country from BTV8 protection zones and will help keep disease out. This is absolutely crucial as it ensures that bluetongue will not return to this country through animal moves from those areas and in turn hamper our chances of eventually moving to freedom.
“There are two main ways bluetongue will enter Great Britain, either through wind-borne incursion of infected midges or through imported animals. While we are limited in our ability to control the wind-borne threat we are able to reduce the risk of incursion via imported stock. We have seen imports levels rise dramatically in the last six months and this move to tighten up controls is vital in protecting the livestock sector and will hopefully help us one day meet our aim of gaining disease free status.
“As part of the approval process Defra will have to carry out monthly surveillance and take blood samples from stock across the South of England and JAB are encouraging livestock keepers to fully co-operate with Animal Health should they be asked to participate in the sampling programme.
“Although this is excellent news, we must not become complacent. Livestock keepers should continue to source responsibly and check the health and vaccination status of their stock.
“Bluetongue is still circulating on the continent and there is a possibility that it may blow across to Great Britain as it did in 2007 and therefore it cannot be stressed enough that vaccination remains the only effective way to protect against bluetongue. It is vital livestock keepers continue to vaccinate their animals. I would also urge farmers to remain vigilant for signs of the disease and report any suspicions immediately to the local Animal Health Office.”
Get more animal health news from the NFU here.
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