The Welsh Government has approved bluetongue vaccines licence for voluntary use in Wales from 1st March.
Read: GOV.WALES | Welsh Government approves Bluetongue vaccines licence for voluntary use
Due to the drop in temperature and reduced midge activity, the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed the UK is in the seasonally vector low period for bluetongue virus. This came into effect from 12 noon on 21 January.
Read: NFU urges vigilance as bluetongue seasonally vector low period confirmed
The general licence for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) allows vaccination in all counties in England.
Licences for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, not currently available, but under review.
Find out more at: GOV.UK | General licence for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine.
The Welsh Government has confirmed the first Bluetongue case in Gwynedd, Wales and follows BTV-3 cases being detected in the east of England over the last month.
Further investigations are taking place on the farm affected to determine whether additional controls are needed.
For the latest updates, head to: NFU Cymru | Bluetongue: latest information from Welsh Government.
Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of three unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines within the United Kingdom, subject to licence.
Available licences to allow use will either be geographically targeted general licences, initially in high risk counties as part of a phased approach, or specific licences which can be applied for through APHA. General licencing will be subject to Risk Assessment.
Find out more at: GOV.UK | BTV-3 vaccine permits.
The first UK case of BTV3 in the 2024 season has been confirmed in a single sheep on a mixed farm near Haddiscoe, South Norfolk. The case was identified following a report of clinical suspicion.
A 20km TCZ has been declared restricting movement of cattle, sheep, other ruminants, and their germinal products (semen, ova, and embryos).
For further information and a map of the TCZ please go to: GOV.UK | Bluetongue: near Haddiscoe, South Norfolk, Norfolk (BTD 2024/92) – TCZ.
The farm is now under restrictions and, as there is no current evidence of disease circulation. The animal will be slaughtered in line with the BTV framework released in May: GOV.UK | Disease control framework for bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England in 2024.
Find out more: New bluetongue case confirmed in Norfolk.
Livestock keepers are being urged to take up free testing, as cases of bluetongue increase in Europe.
Over 4,000 cases of BTV-3 have been reported in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium since May 2024. Cases have also been reported in France, Luxemburg and Denmark for the first time ever.
The government's risk level for BTV-3 in the UK remains at medium, but Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss is urging for renewed vigilance as the risk of midges being blown over from northern Europe is very much dependent on weather conditions.
Free testing is available for livestock moving from high risk counties – Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex – to elsewhere in Great Britain. This includes animals that are sold at market in these counties, to owners in low risk counties. Doing so will help prevent the spread of the disease to new areas.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “BTV outbreaks in Europe are on the rise and we must remain vigilant to the threat of disease spread. If you suspect disease in your animals please report.
“If you intend to move animals to live out of high-risk counties, including if you are buying in new animals, please take advantage of the free testing scheme to help stop the movement of non-clinical disease.”
For more information on this story, visit: GOV.UK | Chief Vet reminds farmers of bluetongue risk
Or, for information on free bluetongue testing, visit: GOV.UK | Bluetongue: get free testing for your animals
The government is highlighting the importance of registering where livestock is kept to help investigation and control of disease outbreaks.
Updated guidance has been issued on GOV.UK encouraging all livestock keepers (including pet owners) to follow steps to ensure land and livestock locations are registered correctly.
The guidance includes:
It is important to ensure all temporary grazing and buildings are correctly associated with the main holding.
For more information, visit: GOV.UK | Get a temporary land association (TLA) or temporary county parish holding (tCPH) number
The government has published guidance for keepers moving bluetongue susceptible animals to shows and events, and show organisers. The guidance covers:
Read the full guidance at: GOV.UK | Bluetongue guidance for shows and events in England in 2024
Livestock keepers in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex can apply for free bluetongue testing for susceptible animals if they are to be moved to live out of the high-risk counties listed above.
Tests are also free if susceptible animals will be sold at a market held within any of the high-risk counties where it is anticipated that there will be buyers from outside those high-risk counties. Visit: GOV.UK | Bluetongue: get free testing for your animals
The NFU has welcomed Defra’s control plan, helping to bring clarity for members. We are urging Defra, vaccine manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and the livestock and dairy sectors work together to bring a licenced vaccine to market to help minimise the impact of this disease.
APHA confirmed a very high probability of BTV-3 spreading across ruminants in Great Britain.
In its updated risk assessment, the government body warned that the virus could be more widely spread as infected biting midges are blown over from northern Europe.
See: GOV.UK | Bluetongue virus risk set out for the year ahead
A new vaccine for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) was approved for use in the Netherlands.
This vaccine has not yet been authorised for use in the UK.
Defra and APHA have launched a new online movement licensing service which will allow APHA to process a higher quantity of applications.
The service also allows livestock keepers to upload supporting documentation, track the status of applications and download licences.
Visit: GOV.UK | Apply for an exemption from animal disease movement restrictions. This service replaces the EXD100 form.