Scotland will extend its bluetongue restricted zone, which is currently covering parts of southwest Scotland, to cover the whole country from Saturday 3 October.
The restricted zone was originally introduced in parts of southwest Scotland on 10 September, following an increase in active cases of the virus.
Scotland recorded its first case of bluetongue in early August which was detected in a lamb in Dumfries and Galloway in the southwest of the country.
Since the southwest restricted zone was established, the disease has been detected on 40 premises, with four of these cases detected outside the zone.
All affected farms are under movement restrictions and cooler temperatures – meaning that there is lower opportunity for the disease to spread further, the government said.
Easier trading
The Scottish government has said this change will make the movement of animals easier for farmers, hauliers and auction markets ahead of the busy autumn trading period.
Movement licences have been required to move susceptible livestock, into, within and out, of the southwest Scotland zone. However, they will no longer be necessary, as the whole of Scotland will share the same disease status.
The decision to ramp up the restricted zone comes following talks with key industry representatives, including the National Farmers’ Union Scotland.
Northern Ireland
Restrictions on livestock movements to Northern Ireland will remain in place, the Scottish government said.
England and Wales are also in restricted zones, following an escalation in cases over the summer.
The Scottish Minister for Agriculture Jim Fairlie said that extending the restricted zone “recognises that bluetongue is not going away any time soon” and it removes the “administrative burden on farmers at what is a critical time in the trading calendar”.
Vaccination
“Vaccination remains the single most effective way for farmers to protect their animals from the worst effects of bluetongue, and I would strongly encourage anyone with susceptible livestock to speak to their vet now to discuss the right vaccination approach and to secure supplies ahead of next year's higher-risk season,” he added.
SHARING OPTIONS