Bluetongue restricted zone to extend to whole of Scotland

The move means farmers will no longer need movement licences to transport susceptible livestock, including cattle and sheep, into, within or out of the existing south-west zone, as all of Scotland will share the same disease status.

The Scottish Government said the change, agreed with farming industry groups, will make trading easier ahead of the busy autumn sales period.

Image from Getty (Image: Image from Getty)

Since the south-west restricted zone was introduced on September 10 following confirmation of active circulation of the virus, bluetongue has been detected on 40 premises. Four additional cases were found outside the zone after tracing animal movements from affected farms.

All affected farms remain under movement restrictions.

Bluetongue is spread by Culicoides midges and affects ruminant livestock, including cattle, sheep and goats. It does not affect humans or food safety.

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: "Extending the Restricted Zone to cover the whole of Scotland is a practical, sensible step that reflects the reality of the situation we now face.

"It recognises that bluetongue is not going away any time soon, while removing an administrative burden on farmers at what is a critical time in the trading calendar."

Mr Fairlie said the decision had been taken following discussions with organisations including NFU Scotland, the National Sheep Association, Scottish Beef Association, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland.

Some controls will remain in place despite the expansion of the zone. Animals showing signs of bluetongue cannot be moved, while livestock infected after October 3 will continue to be restricted to their premises for 60 days.

Restrictions on livestock movements to Northern Ireland will also remain.

The Scottish Government and industry are also establishing a joint communications group to promote vaccination and provide advice to farmers and vets.

Mr Fairlie said vaccination remained the best protection against the disease.

Michael Priestley, policy manager at the National Sheep Association, said the organisation supported the move as the risk of transmission falls during autumn due to reduced midge activity.

However, he warned there was a "trade-off" between reducing bureaucracy and increasing the risk of the virus spreading, adding that confidence in vaccines had helped support the decision.

Neil Shand, chief executive of the Scottish Beef Association, added: "The Scottish Beef Association think that this is the most logical way forward to prevent trade complications, the overall message on bluetongue remains the same, and that is the only way to protect your cattle fully is to vaccinate."

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and any suspected cases must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.