Defra warning on importing livestock from Bluetongue restricted zones

Following the outbreak of a new strain of Bluetongue in the Netherlands, Defra warns farmers “to be aware of the risks of importing animals from within Restricted Zones and to consider very carefully the potential consequences for their existing livestock.“

The European Commission confirmed the first case of bluetongue virus serotype 6 in the Netherlands on 24 October. Tests have confirmed that the virus, detected in four animals in the Netherlands, corresponds with the vaccine virus strain.

 This is a live vaccine which is not registered for use in the EU and questions have been raised about how it ended up in the Netherlands. The European Commission and Dutch authorities are carrying out an investigation.

Tight controls in the Netherlands have been imposed which are effectively stopping all exports of susceptible animals. The Netherlands have declared its entire territory a Restricted Zone for BTV-6 and 8. They have also declared a 50km containment zone around the infected premises which extends into Germany.

 Defra has said that it continues to test all susceptible animals imported to the UK from continental Europe and for all strains of Bluetongue.