DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (334/07) issued by
The Government News Network on 28 September 2007
Defra has today
confirmed that Bluetongue disease is circulating in East Anglia.
This follows further epidemiological investigations including
surveillance into the five cases identified so far in Suffolk,
which has led to the conclusion that the virus is circulating
between the local animal and midge population.
Bluetongue is a disease of ruminant animals, including cattle,
sheep and deer. In line with the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy
and European law, a 20km Control Zone is being put in place
around the area in East Anglia where cases have been identified to
date. Ruminant animals will be able to move within the Bluetongue
Control Zone, but not out of it, except to slaughter in the
Bluetongue Protection Zone.
In addition, a 150km Bluetongue Protection Zone covering parts of
the counties from Lincolnshire to Sussex will be put in place.
Ruminant animals will be able to move within the Bluetongue
Protection Zone but not out of it.
These Bluetongue zones will replace the Bluetongue Temporary
Control Area set up on 25 September.
Foot and Mouth Disease controls remain firmly in place on all FMD
susceptible animals, including pigs, in the FMD Low Risk and Risk
Areas.
This reflects our integrated approach to movement
controls for both FMD and Bluetongue. Further changes to movement
controls, including movements from the Bluetongue zones for
slaughter will be assessed on the basis of risk.
In some areas, movements of susceptible animals will be subject
to both Bluetongue controls and FMD controls. Farmers must check
that all licence conditions are complied with before making
arrangements to move animals.
Secretary of State for Defra,
Hilary Benn said:
"This is clearly very bad news for the farming industry. Our
priority is to do everything we can to contain this outbreak which
is why we already had in place precautionary restrictions and have
today announced further measures. We are determined to continue to
work closely with the farming industry and the farmers affected
for whom this is a very difficult time.
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Fred Landeg said:
"Examination of the latest emerging evidence has led to the
conclusion that the Bluetongue virus is now circulating between
the local midge and animal populations. We are acutely aware of
the impact this and the associated control measures will have, but
the decision to confirm an outbreak has not been taken lightly.
"Bluetongue is spread via midge vectors, rather than animal
to animal. This means animals infected with Bluetongue will not
be compulsorily slaughtered from now on. There is no vaccine
currently available, however we will consider vaccination in the
event that a suitable authorised inactivated vaccine becomes available."
Notes to Editors
See http://www.defra.gov.uk/bluetongue
for further information on Bluetongue
Bluetongue does not
affect meat or meat products and milk. There will be no additional
controls on these as a result of confirming disease. The Food
Standards Agency have advised that these present no risk to public
health. Further information is at; http://www.food.cov.uk/news/newsarchive/2007/sep/bluetongue
See http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth
for further information on Foot and Mouth Disease
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