Bluetongue: Situation Update 

This update is correct as of 1 April 2025 and supersedes the pre-movement testing requirements outlined in the April 2025 edition of Y Tir.

The clock is ticking for returning over-wintered animals from England’s Bluetongue Restricted Zone  

Great Britain is currently in a Season Vector Low Period for Bluetongue Virus, where the lower winter temperatures reduce the activity of midge that carries Bluetongue Virus from one animal to another. 

Changes have been announced to the pre-movement testing rules for the movement of cattle, sheep and goats out of the Restricted Zones (RZ) in England. These changes will apply from 26 March 2025 and be reviewed by 23 April 2025, however a review may be required sooner depending on transmission risk. 

Each animal moved out of the RZ will still require a specific licence, which can be obtained from APHA. 

Movements out of the RZ are being allowed WITHOUT a pre-movement test providing that the animals are; 

• older than 60 days, 
• not pregnant,
• not males intended for breeding.

Animals considered ‘higher risk’ will require both a specific licence and a pre-movement test to move out of the RZ, these include;

• pregnant females, 
• youngstock under 60 days,
• entire males intended for breeding 

As a result of the season vector low period the following restrictions that were imposed to slow down the spread of disease have been eased.

• Post-movement testing of animals moved out of the RZ to live is no longer required GB wide,
• Use of insecticides in transport, at approved markets or designated abattoirs is no longer required,
• Slaughterhouses no longer need to be designated to receive animals from the Restricted Zone.

However, as spring commences and the temperature inevitably warms, the Season Vector Low Period and the reprievement of disease control measures will soon come to an end, being replaced with more robust disease control measures.

In light of this, the FUW is urging members to be extremely vigilant of Bluetongue Virus over the coming months and to highlight the possible implications that an imminent change in disease control policies may have on your farm business. For example, if you have livestock overwintering in the Bluetongue Restricted Zone of England, it is likely that more stringent disease control measures, such as not allowing animals susceptible to Bluetongue Virus into Wales to live from Restricted Zones, will be reintroduced when midge activity increases. Such policies play an important role in protecting Welsh livestock from Bluetongue virus, however, they may have serious consequences for farm businesses activities.

During the 2024 to 2025 Bluetongue season, 2 cases of BTV-3 were detected in Wales (as a result of high-risk livestock moves), with 240 cases recorded in England. In addition a single case of BTV-12 has also been detected in England.

Following lobbying by the FUW, on 1st March, the Welsh Government approved the emergency use of three Bluetongue vaccines in Wales. Although these vaccines should not be considered as a silver bullet, they do play an important role in mitigating the impact of disease in livestock.

Vaccines are available on prescription and sold from veterinary practices and can be administered by livestock keepers themselves, following appropriate guidance. The FUW would recommend members to discuss the option of vaccination with your vet.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease that has caused a significant impact on the livestock industry in European countries due to loss of production and increased costs. Farmers are urged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicions of disease to their Vet or by contacting APHA Wales on 0300 303 8268.

The FUW will continue to monitor the disease over the coming months and update members as the situation progresses.

For the latest news and developments on Bluetounge Virus in Wales, visit the Welsh Government's website.