13 June 2011

The perseverance and diligence shown by Great Britain’s livestock farmers and other industry stakeholders has paid off, as Britain regains its Bluetongue-free status, shedding trade restrictions associated with the disease.

Bluetongue (BTV), a devastating viral disease that affects both cattle and sheep, infected parts of South East England in August 2007 following a major disease outbreak in mainland Europe.  Scotland has remained free of the disease and undertook a Scottish Government-supported vaccination programme in 2008 to protect stock from the midge-borne virus.

Restrictions on exporting sheep and cattle from Great Britain in place because of bluetongue disease will be lifted, Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced today. The restrictions were imposed in 2007, following the first cases of bluetongue in Great Britain.

Mr Paice said, “This is great news for farmers – and it’s an achievement by farmers too. This is the result of a strong and successful partnership between government, farmers and vets to eradicate this serious disease. Our new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England is building on this partnership approach to create a better way to tackle animal diseases.  There have been no new cases of bluetongue in Britain for two years, but farmers and vets need to remain vigilant and continue to be careful of animals they import.”  

Bluetongue-free status will mean that animals exported from Great Britain to bluetongue free countries, mainly the Republic of Ireland, won’t require vaccination, or meet any other bluetongue requirements.

The disease is not currently found in Britain’s neighbouring countries, and animals entering Great Britain from bluetongue zones will continue to meet stringent import conditions.  We will maintain testing of imported animals from high risk countries.

Once Great Britain is declared bluetongue free, livestock keepers will no longer be able to vaccinate under EU law.  The Government is pressing for changes to be made at European level to allow farmers to use vaccination even when bluetongue zones are not in place. Bluetongue Free status will take effect from 5 July 2011, so any farmers wishing to vaccinate should do so before this date.