Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the guidance entitled Bluetongue movement licences and designated slaughterhouses, last updated on 15 November 2023, what further steps he plans to take to tackle bluetongue.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner
Defra acted quickly to contain bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) when the first case this season was detected on 26 August, implementing zones with movement controls on susceptible livestock to prevent spread. Disease control restrictions have been adapted in response to new findings and there is now a single restricted zone (RZ) covering the east coast and some inland areas in England.
As disease controls have developed, advice on movement licences and designated slaughterhouses has been regularly updated to reflect changes to controls and permitted movements, for example advice on applying for licences to move animals from the RZ to slaughter and breeding markets outside the zone: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-movement-licences-and-designated-slaughterhouses
Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency continue surveillance and epidemiological assessments, remaining vigilant for any changes, and are working closely with key industry stakeholders to review how we approach controls for BTV-3 for the coming winter months, in 2025 and beyond.
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