The rules on moving some livestock in south-west Scotland are changing from 10 September, The Scottish Government has announced.
Farmers in the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Dumfries and Galloway have been operating under the restrictions since at least nine sheep and 58 cattle were confirmed with bluetongue in the area.
Creetown, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright and Lockerbie were all affected. More recently, cases were confirmed over the border in Cumbria in Carlisle and Millom.
There have been confirmed cases across Dumfries and Galloway and more recently in Cumbria Credit: ITV Border
Today, the Scottish Government says following further assessment of the current bluetongue situation, from 10 September, store, fattening and non-pregnant female animals will no longer need to be vaccinated to move from the control zone to disease-free areas of Scotland.
Some breeding animals will still require vaccination and testing before leaving the zone.
The Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, Jim Fairlie says the Government has been listening to farmers and is seeking to balance containing the disease with the impact of restrictions on farming and other sectors.
However, Mr Fairlie tempered the announcement with a warning, “The risk of bluetongue spreading further across Scotland is increasing.”
He continued, “I would ask all animal keepers in Scotland to review their vaccination plans and prepare for the very high likelihood that cases may emerge in new parts of the country next season.”
Jim Fairlie is the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands Credit: PA Images
Symptoms of the virus can include:
The rules are changing from 10 September because the colder months are expected to bring a lower risk of transmission, with a drop in the midges spreading the disease.
Movement rules for animals coming into Scotland from restricted zones in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or moving to those areas, remain unchanged.
The Minister added, “Vaccination remains the only viable long-term strategy for controlling bluetongue. I would urge anyone with susceptible livestock to speak to their vet as soon as possible.”
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