Bluetongue Virus (BTV-3) restrictions have been expanded to cover all of England, triggering new cross-border sheep and cattle trade implications. The midge-born disease has devastating effects on ruminants but does not pose any threat to public health or food safety. As we enter the summer months where there is increased risk of BTV-3, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) designated the whole of England as a BTV-3 Restricted Zone today, 1 July, to remove the restrictions on movements of cattle and sheep within England. This permits susceptible English animals to move freely up to the border but are restricted when moving into Scotland.
From today, any keeper wishing to move animals from England into Scotland must apply for a movement licence from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). In the case of cattle, a licence will be granted if they are fully vaccinated with the Boehringer “Bultavo-3” vaccine and show no clinical signs of infection. However, there is no vaccine currently approved to prevent onward transmission of BTV-3 in sheep. As a result, all movements of sheep and cattle not vaccinated using Bultavo-3, into Scotland require a negative pre-movement test within seven days of travel, regardless of vaccination status.
As NFU Scotland Animal Health and Welfare Policy Manager Penny Middleton explained: “Vaccination remains a vital tool in protecting animal health. All available vaccines provide effective protection against the symptoms of BTV-3 but manufacturers are currently unable to demonstrate that any vaccine prevents transmission of BTV-3 in sheep. For that reason, Scottish Government will continue to require pre-movement testing of all sheep moving into Scotland, regardless of vaccination status.”
NFU Scotland has made clear that these measures will have significant consequences for cross-borde trade, particularly for Scottish producers who regularly market stock at English sales and may now face costly and complex return protocols. The Union has consistently opposed Scotland joining the BTV-3 Restricted Zone, citing the need to maintain strong disease prevention measures but has promised to keep its position under review with its members as the situation progresses.
Notes to editors:
- Further updates, guidance and frequently asked questions on BTV-3 are available
here.