Scottish Government loosens livestock movement rules amid rising bluetongue threat

The Scottish Government has relaxed some livestock movement restrictions in south-west Scotland’s bluetongue control zone, amid increasing cases and ongoing concerns over the disease’s spread.

The Scottish Government has eased some livestock movement rules for the temporary bluetongue control zone in south-west Scotland, even as ministers warn the disease is becoming a broader threat north of the border.

Following consultation with farmers, store, fattening and non-pregnant female animals will no longer need to be vaccinated before moving out of the zone from 10 September. Breeding animals will still face vaccination and testing requirements.

The change comes after four more cases were confirmed on 28 August in Dumfries and Galloway, all in sheep and all detected after suspicious clinical signs were reported. That brought the number of confirmed infected animals in south-west Scotland to 72 across 12 holdings.

Jim Fairlie, the Scottish Government minister for agriculture, said the administration was responding to feedback from the industry, but added that the risk of spread was rising and that farmers should review vaccination plans now. He said vaccination remained the only viable long-term control strategy.

The control zone was introduced on 20 August after a case was detected near Lockerbie. Movement restrictions remain unchanged for livestock entering or leaving Scotland from restricted areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Across Great Britain, 2,541 premises are under investigation for possible cases, suggesting the final tally is likely to rise.