FUW welcomes announcement of all-Wales Bluetongue Restricted Zone

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, that an all-Wales Restricted Zone (RZ) for Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) will be introduced from 10 November 2025.

The decision brings Wales into alignment with the Bluetongue control measures already in place across England. The move follows ongoing lobbying from the FUW, which has consistently called for policy consistency between both nations to minimise disruption for farmers operating across the border.

The Welsh Government statement can be found in full here.

Commenting, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “As farmers, our first instinct is to keep any disease out. However, to maintain economic stability within the industry, the FUW has consistently lobbied the Welsh Government to align its policies with the changes introduced in England earlier this year. The significant number of cross-border holdings and the high level of trading activity have been severely disrupted by the policy divergence between Wales and England - particularly as the midges that transmit Bluetongue Virus do not recognise such boundaries.

Today’s announcement will therefore come as a relief to the industry as many farmers and livestock markets have struggled to navigate the numerous policy changes introduced in recent months. Nevertheless, the threat of Bluetongue Virus remains, and it is important that farmers continue to uphold high biosecurity and consider vaccination as a key measure to protect their livestock.

The FUW continues to work with the Welsh Government and other industry representatives to ensure any barriers to vaccination are addressed and the industry is supported ahead of the transmission period next year.”

The Welsh Government’s statement confirms the declaration of the all-Wales RZ will have the following effects:

• Revocation of the TCZ - the existing TCZ and associated conditions will be revoked, simplifying disease control measures across Wales;
• Removal of premises level restrictions - individual premises across Wales will no longer be subject to Bluetongue-specific movement or control restrictions;
• No further culling or restrictions – culling of infected animals and imposition of further Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) restrictions will cease in Wales;
• Free movement of livestock - livestock movements between England and Wales will no longer require Bluetongue vaccination or other mitigation measures, facilitating trade and logistics. Vaccination is still recommended, including for livestock moving to tack grazing in England;
• Ongoing Surveillance and future preparedness - regular monitoring will continue to for detection of any new Bluetongue serotypes and support future efforts to regain disease-free status. Controls may be necessary for other BTV serotypes;
• Continued restrictions on germinal products - testing of donor animals before freezing and marketing of germinal products will continue to provide quality assurance and reduce the risk of longer-term Bluetongue transmission;
• Changes for livestock movements to Scotland - moving animals from the Wales RZ to Scotland will be subject to the Scottish Government’s rules on licensing and movement testing.