Bluetongue
Current Situation
Scotland remains a 'bluetongue free area'. For background on the disease see the bluetongue background page.
New legislation came into force on 6th June 2008 that provides the legal framework required for a compulsory vaccination campaign in Scotland later in the year and tightens further restrictions on animals entering Scotland.
Any bluetongue susceptible animals moving into Scotland from an area affected by bluetongue must meet the licence requirements of the competent authority at point of origin. In addition, keepers are required to notify Scottish Government within 3 working days of any bluetongue susceptible animals that have been in the bluetongue restricted zone in the previous 60 days. Animals vaccinated against bluetongue must also be accompanied by a veterinary certificate (note: NOT a veterinary prescription) proving they have been vaccinated. For more details see the bluetongue movements page.
The Vector Free Period, previously declared throughout GB in December 2007, ended on 15 March 2008. This means that movement restrictions have returned to the strict regime that was in place before the Vector Free Period was declared and bluetongue susceptible animals are generally not able to leave bluetongue Restricted Zones in England and Wales.
During the Vector Free Period, some Scottish slaughterhouses were designated to receive susceptible animals from the Restricted Zones in England. As a result of the end to the Vector Free Period all designations have been revoked. For more details see the designation of slaughterhouses page.
The first batch of BTV8 vaccine was released for use within the protection zone in England on the 30 th April and vaccination is now permitted within the Protection Zone only. The principals of a future Scottish Vaccination Campaign have been agreed and will be rolled out later this year. For more details see the bluetongue vaccination page.
Information on the current bluetongue zones in England and Wales and the vaccination campaign in England can be found on The Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website ( http://www.defra.gov.uk/).
As with any notifiable disease, if you suspect that livestock may be infected with bluetongue, you must contact your local animal health office immediately.