The risk of transmission via infected midges is now considered very high in England.
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Despite having 37 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) since July 2025, some movement restrictions within Britain are to be eased later this month.
The 37 cases have all been found in England, with Defra still considering the risk of transmission via infected midges as “very high”.
With virus circulating around England, a restricted zone was extended to cover all of the country on 1 July 2025, meaning that animals could be moved within England without needing a specific licence or pre-movement testing.
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There are controls on movements to Scotland or Wales, although they are set to ease later this month.
Expert advice suggests that temperatures in Scotland will soon be low enough to prevent virus transmission by midges. However, animals used for breeding still pose a risk.
In Wales, government intends to allow markets from 21 September to sell vaccinated animals from both England and Wales under general licence.
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Despite having 37 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) since July 2025, some movement restrictions within Britain are to be eased later this month.
The 37 cases have all been found in England, with Defra still considering the risk of transmission via infected midges as “very high”.
With virus circulating around England, a restricted zone was extended to cover all of the country on 1 July 2025, meaning that animals could be moved within England without needing a specific licence or pre-movement testing.
There are controls on movements to Scotland or Wales, although they are set to ease later this month.
Expert advice suggests that temperatures in Scotland will soon be low enough to prevent virus transmission by midges. However, animals used for breeding still pose a risk.
In Wales, government intends to allow markets from 21 September to sell vaccinated animals from both England and Wales under general licence.
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