Current Situation

Last Reviewed 29.06.2009

On 8 May 2008 DARD announced new import control measures following the successful application to Brussels to apply a derogation from the general rules of the European Bluetongue Regulation (1266/2007) for the movement of susceptible animals from restricted zones.

The declaration which stipulates that all imported susceptible animals must move under the conditions stipulated in the Bluetongue Regulation 1266/2007 (as amended) came into force with effect from 8 May 2008.  

Only susceptible animals less than 90 days or that have proven natural or vaccinated immunity to Bluetongue, if they meet certain conditions, can be imported from Bluetongue restricted areas.

We continue to test all susceptible animals imported into NI from GB and continental Europe, for all strains of Bluetongue.

For more information on the current trade conditions, please click on the links at the bottom of the page.

The situation in the England and Wales has remained static since the last confirmed premise for BTV-8 (an imported case) was detected on 18 December 2008:

On Monday 1 September 2008 the Protection Zone in England was extended to the whole of England and Wales to allow roll-out of vaccination.

On 3rd November 2008 the Protection Zone was extended to cover the whole of Scotland and a compulsory vaccination scheme was introduced in Scotland.

On 25 November 2008 Bluetongue (Serotype 1) was detected in 5 imported cattle on premises near Blackpool, Lancashire.

This has been the only incidence of BTV1 in animals imported into the UK to date. The animals originated from within the BTV1 and 8 Restricted Zone in the south west of France and were detected as a result of post-import testing carried out by Defra on all Bluetongue susceptible animals arriving from Continental Europe.

The 5 animals and one further animal (which tested bluetongue positive, but with an undetermined serotype) were culled and the premises remained under restriction while epidemiological investigations took place.

For the most up to date information on the situation in GB please click on the links at the bottom of the page.

For clinical signs of the disease please follow the below link:

Clinical Signs

If you suspect the presence of the disease, contact your local Divisional Veterinary Office immediately. To find the telephone number of your nearest office, call the DARD helpline on: 02890 524999, or visit the DARD website

Welsh Assembly – Latest Situation