Farmers in the EU will be allowed to preventatively vaccinate their livestock against bluetongue fever, even if they are outside exclusion zones, from Friday (24th August). The change is the result of new EU legislation passed in February.

Until that time EU lawmakers had expressed concerns that ‘live’ viruses used in the vaccination could spread the bluetongue virus, though the development of ‘inactive’ vaccines has allayed their concerns.

The changes are due to come into force ahead of the European midge season, when bluetongue is spread via biting insects. MEPs said it is important for farmers, including those outside of disease zones, to be given the choice of whether or not to vaccinate animals.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious disease which affects a range of ruminants including sheep, deer, goats and cattle. The disease is spread by midges and belongs to the same group of viruses as the Schmallenberg virus which was discovered in Germany last year and has since spread to surrounding European states.  

Following the outbreak of the disease in 2007/08, the UK is now officially bluetongue free; Defra has said the risk of the disease spreading to the country remains “very low” due to stringent control measures.

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