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Bluetongue restrictions
22/02/2008
The UK has announced today that the current Vector Free Period will end at midnight on Saturday, March 15, 2008. This decision is based on an assessment of meteorological data and historic vector (midge) trapping, which provides evidence that the midge vectors for bluetongue will re-emerge at around this time.
From March 15 no animals will be permitted to move out of the Restricted Zone (under vector free period movement rules) and movement restrictions will return to those which were in place before the Vector Free Period was declared on December 20, 2007. The Restricted Zone currently extends from Cornwall to north Yorkshire. Details are available on the Defra website.
Scottish livestock farmers who wish to source stock from the Restricted Zone should be aware that livestock keepers in the Restricted Zone will have to carry out pre-movement testing of their animals, receive negative results, and move the animals before 23:59 on March 15. Farmers receiving such livestock must inform the Scottish Government of the movement using the post movement notification document available on the SG website.
Charles Milne, CVO (Scotland) said:
"As expected, we are now reaching the end of the vector free period and thus the end of the movement window. Farmers who are still planning to bring animals into Scotland from the Restricted Zone must ensure they comply with all the rules associated with such movements.
"The risk of bluetongue transmission is now rising. I advise everyone to think long and hard before sourcing stock from high risk areas."