Bluetongue virus restrictions eased in the UK
Falling temperatures and reduced midge activity have prompted the UK’s chief veterinary officer to confirm the introduction of the seasonally vector low period for Bluetongue virus.
The restrictions that have been in place to mitigate the disease have been eased. These include:
- Removing the requirements for post-movement testing of animals out of the restricted zone.
- The use of insecticides on transport vehicles.
- The need to send animals moving outside of the restricted zone for slaughter to designated abattoirs.
However, farmers still have to:
- Have a licence to move animals or germinal product out of a restricted zone.
- Comply with any post-movement testing requirements set out in their licence or restriction notice if they have moved animals out of the restricted zone on/before 20 January 2025.
- Apply for a licence to freeze germinal products within the restricted zone.
The government has confirmed that the restricted zone currently in place across affected regions along the east and south coast of England will remain. All animals moving out of the restricted zone will still require a pre-movement test unless going directly to slaughter or to a dedicated slaughter market.
David Barton, NFU livestock board chair, said: “Confirmation that we are now in the seasonally vector low period for Bluetongue virus will be welcomed by many livestock farmers, especially those that find themselves in the current restricted zone. For those farmers that remain in the restricted zone, I’d encourage checking the most up-to-date information on requirements for pre-movement testing and changes which allow animals to move to any abattoir in the ‘Free Area’. While in the low vector period, vigilance is still key and if you suspect a case, it must be reported to Defra, and I’d encourage members to discuss vaccination with their vet.”
The NFU continues to work with Defra to devise a control strategy, which proportionality balances APHA resource and farm business sustainability.
Vaccination
One of the key components of a control strategy for the new season will be vaccination. The NFU is aware that 2 of the 3 vaccines currently in circulation (Bluevac-3G and Syvaluz BTV) have received the equivalent of a Provisional Marketing Authorisation with the European Medicines Agency.
The union is not aware of any current equivalent applications to the UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate. All 3 vaccines are still being offered in the UK under the current SoS permission for emergency use for the foreseeable future. A general licence is available from the government to report use.
Famers should continue reporting clinical signs of Bluetongue virus as they share some similarities with other diseases, such as Foot and Mouth Disease, which has recently been found in Germany.
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