Organisers of the NSA Wales & Border Main Ram Sale say they have all contingencies in place with regard to fears over the current UK outbreak of Bluetongue (BTV-3).

The disease is currently contained in the East of England, with confirmed cases in the counties of East Yorkshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. There are no consignors coming to the sale from these areas. BTV-3 is a contagious disease, but although spread mostly by midges, recent evidence does point to the possibility of some direct infection from sheep to sheep.

NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales Veterinary Surgeon Angus Wyse says: "All sheep presented at the NSA Wales & Border Main Ram Sale are coming from well away from the current control area. This may change of course, but even so there are significant distances involved.

"All our sheep are subject to inspection and all inspectors and vets at the Main Sale have been briefed on the correct identification of the symptoms of the disease. At present we are very confident the Sale will not be affected by this current outbreak."

The NSA Wales & Border Main Sale will take place at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells on Monday 23rd September.

Organisers send their best wishes to those currently affected by BTV-3. For further updates on the current BTV-3 situation visit https://nationalsheep.org.uk/our-work/news/current-nsa-updates-on-bluetongue/