- Animal movement restricted in an area around Dumfries and
Galloway
The Scottish Government is strengthening bluetongue disease
controls after a case was detected near Lockerbie.
A Temporary Control Zone has been put in place in an area around
Dumfries and Galloway as a precautionary measure while further
investigations are conducted on the source and extent of the
disease.
All movement of livestock such as cattle, sheep and other
susceptible ruminants in or out of the zone can now only take
place under licence. There will be also be increased surveillance
and testing of animals nearby.
In addition, from Saturday 22 August, cattle, sheep and goats and
other ruminants that are travelling from anywhere in Scotland to
the Bluetongue Restricted Zone in place in the rest of the UK
must return to Scotland on the same day to minimise the risk of
the disease spreading. This replaces the current rule allowing up
to four days away.
From 10 September, all livestock susceptible to the disease that
are being moved from a Bluetongue Restricted Zone in the rest of
the UK into Scotland will need to be vaccinated, other than
livestock returning to Scotland under the "same day" rule.
The Scottish Government continues to work closely with livestock
industry representatives, including National Farmers Union
Scotland, National Sheep Association, National Beef Association,
the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland, and the
Livestock Auctioneers Association, to ensure industry concerns
are heard and reflected in the approach taken.
Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands said:
"The recent detection of bluetongue near Lockerbie, combined with
the rapid rise in cases across the rest of the UK, means we must
act now to strengthen our protections and minimise risk. This
will allow essential time for further investigations and to allow
vaccine uptake levels to increase sufficiently to provide greater
protective immunity across susceptible livestock in Scotland.
"I recognise the significant impact this news will have on
farmers and the wider industry in the area, and I do not
underestimate the pressure this places on those affected. I am
very grateful for their continued constructive engagement as we
work together to introduce an effective control strategy while
minimising restrictions on businesses as far as possible. We will
ensure that control measures are proportionate. This is a dynamic
situation while further investigations are carried out, and we
will continue to monitor it closely, considering further control
measures as necessary in partnership with industry.
"Vaccination remains our best long-term defence, and I would
strongly encourage all farmers to discuss this with their vets
and place vaccine orders now to ensure access to supplies. We
continue to work with other UK nations, manufacturers and
distributors to ensure timely access to vaccine, with more doses
being brought in from continental Europe and additional supplies
now in production."
Background
The case in Lockerbie affects two lambs.
Bluetongue is a virus spread by insects, mainly Culicoides
midges. It is a disease of ruminant livestock and does not affect
humans or food safety. Signs include nasal discharge, redness and
swelling of the lips, nose and muzzle, lameness / reluctance to
stand, milk drop (decreased production) and diarrhoea in cattle.
It is notifiable and suspicion of disease in animals should be
reported to APHA Scotland.
Further information on the Temporary Bluetongue Control Zone,
including a map of the area covered, latest information on case
numbers, the existing licensing restrictions, and updates on
bluetongue Latest situation - Bluetongue:
how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot
