July 2025

Written By Marches Farm Vets

Bluetongue update

From the 1st of July 2025, we, with the whole of England with become part of the restriction zone for Bluetongue, allowing free movement of stock throughout England. This will affect those who plan to sell/move stock into Wales or Scotland.

To move stock out of the restriction zone (into Wales/Scotland) you must apply for a movement licence and the animals must have a negative test within 7 days of the move. This private test is conducted by us at your expense.

The lab requires a 72-hour turnaround time for test results and does not work weekends, so testing must be planned in advance.

Vaccinated cattle that have completed treatment with Boehringer 'Bultavo-3' vaccine and have no clinical symptoms can move from a Restricted Zone to Wales without a pre-movement test. Completed treatment means both doses of the vaccine were administered, and 21 days elapsed since the second dose.

Movement out of the restriction zone direct to slaughter:

Can only be conducted to approved abattoirs, which are:

  • Dunbia, Llanybydder

  • Euro Farms Wales, Haverfordwest

  • Farmers Fresh, Wrexham

  • Pilgrims UK Lamb, Llanidloes

  • Kepak/St Merryn, Merthyr Tydfil

No testing is required, but the requirements of the general licence must be met if:

  • Animals are culled within 24 hours

  • Appropriate insecticides are used

  • The movement must take place after dawn and be completed before dusk

You do not need to apply for a licence from the APHA for this movement, and more information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-movement-licences-and-designated-slaughterhouses#get-a-general-licencehttps://

www.gov.uk/ guidance/bluetongue-movement-licences-and-designated-slaughterhouses

Vaccination remains the most effective option for long-term control of Bluetongue.

Please contact the practice to discuss the vaccination of your stock.

Clinical signs

Clinical signs of bluetongue | AHDB

  • Ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose, hypersalivation

  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot), redness between the toes

  • Crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle

  • Redness of the mouth, eyes, nose

  • Abortion and poor fertility

  • Recumbency (lying down) and death

The signs are more severe in sheep than cattle and clinically effected animals have a fatality rate of up to 70%. If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it immediately by calling 03000 200301. To not do so is an offence.

Signs of bluetongue in cattle and sheep

Vaccination:

In England and Wales, the Secretary of State has granted emergency permission for three bluetongue vaccines to be used in cattle and sheep under licence. The vaccines do not prevent the animal becoming infected but reduce deaths and the severity of clinical signs, similar to COVD vaccination for us. In the Netherlands mortality in unvaccinated flocks was reported at 70%, and this dropped to 10% in vaccinated flocks.

Off licence use in goats or camelids should be discussed with one of our vets. The decision to vaccinate should be done on a case-by-case basis, it is the decision of the individual and is not one size fits all. To assess your risk and need to vaccinate please contact one of our vets.

I’ve vaccinated – now what?

1. Written or digital records of animals vaccinated must be kept for 5 years

2. Animal keepers must provide details of individual animals vaccinated and vaccine used to Defra within 48 hours of vaccinating

3. Any excess doses must be returned to prescribing vet

Resources Bluetongue:

https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/battle-bluetongue-campaign-2025/

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bluetongue-virus-latest-situation-chief-vet-urges-vigilance

https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/bluetongue

If faced with challenges, there are several resources you can access and charities that you can contact for support. Please feel free to also call the practice for a chat.

Resources for mental health:

https://ahdb.org.uk/support-for-farmers

Farming Community Network helpline – 03000 111 999

RABI – 0800 188 4444

We Are Farming Minds – 0808 802 0070 / Text – 07786 203 130

Forage Aid – 01926 620135

Mind Charity – 0300 123 3393

Samaritans – 116 123

Marches Farm Vets
Next

June 2025