15/02/2025
🦟 As you will be aware, the Bluetongue restriction zone has now been expanded and now covers some of East Devon. The situation is constantly evolving, but here are some important things you need to bear in mind for your business and your stock.
⛔️ If you are IN the restriction zone, animals can move under a general licence straight to slaughter, or to a slaughter market. Animals can move within a restriction zone as normal (if you have land that straddles the zone, all your land is considered in the restriction zone), as long as animals are showing NO clinical signs of the disease. If you want to move animals OUT of the restriction zone, you will need to apply online for a licence, and also arrange (via UKfarmcare) for a blood test to be done before the licence can be granted. At the moment, this is paid for.
⏰️ Obviously the rapid change in zone will have an impact on how quickly this can be approved, and the current advice is to apply with at least 10 days notice of wanting to move any stock, to allow for licences to be granted and blood results to come back in time.
⚠️ Risks for all livestock, regardless of zone: Bluetongue is spread by biting midges, and whilst we are in the seasonal low activity period, once midges become active, the risks of spread will be high. The virus can also be spread by the sharing of needles. This is an important risk to consider for flocks who might be planning to vaccinate stock for other diseases.
🐄🐂 Cattle are mainly at risk from symptoms such as milk drop and abortions, which will affect productivity. 🐑 Sheep are at more risk of bigger losses; European outbreaks of this strain of the virus (BTV-3) have resulted in up to 30% aninals being infected, and up to 70% of infected animals dying.
💉 The only current means of protecting cattle and sheep is by vaccination. Vaccines are currently available, but the supply will depend on how the situation evolves and what the demand is. Vaccines are approved for use, but require extra paperwork to be completed.