WIREDGOV

Evidence disease is in circulation in the affected area.

The bluetongue Temporary Control Zone in south-west Scotland will be replaced by a Restricted Zone covering the same area from 10 September, following evidence that the disease is in circulation there. 

Under the change livestock such as cattle, sheep and other susceptible ruminants will still need a licence if they are being moved out of the Restricted Zone to the rest of Scotland. 

If an animal is showing clinical signs of bluetongue, it must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

However, as dropping temperatures reduce the risk of the disease spreading, changes to restrictions will continue, as previously announced, from this Thursday (10 September), alongside the creation of the Restricted Zone. From that date, store, fattening and non-pregnant female animals will no longer need to be tested or vaccinated to move from the Restricted Zone to the disease-free area of Scotland. Some breeding animals will still require vaccination and testing before leaving the zone.

Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, Jim Fairlie, said:

"We have been doing all we can to stop bluetongue getting a foothold but the evidence now is regrettably showing us that the disease is circulating in south-west Scotland, meaning that legally we have to make that area a Restricted Zone.

"What this shows is that the disease is not going away any time soon, and industry should start to prepare for the disease gaining a permanent hold within the rest of Scotland.

"I recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for farmers and the wider industry and we are continuing to work closely with them on how we deal with the disease in Scotland for the longer term.

"While we have no choice but to establish a Restricted Zone, the risk of spread reduces during the colder months. That is why, after listening to industry feedback, we remain able to continue to change restrictions on the movement of some animals out of the zone from 10 September.

"What will not change is that vaccination is the only viable long-term strategy for controlling bluetongue. As such, I would urge anyone with susceptible livestock to speak to their vet as soon as possible, both to discuss the right approach for their animals and to make sure vaccine is available when it is needed."

Background

The Temporary Control Zone was created to focus effort on preventing the disease from gaining a foothold in Scotland. However as the evidence is now that the disease is circulating within the area of the zone the Scottish Government is legally required to create a Restricted Zone. 

A person must not move an animal out of or within the Restricted Zone if it is showing clinical signs of bluetongue on the day of movement. Otherwise susceptible livestock moving between the Scottish Restricted Zone in south-west Scotland and other Restricted Zones in place in the rest of Great Britain will not be subject to bluetongue movement restrictions.

Further information on bluetongue restrictions is available, including a map of the affected area and case numbers.