Bluetongue update June 2025

The risk to Welsh sheep and cattle is increasing!

BTV-3 has caused significant disease in ruminants in Europe, ranging from production losses (cattle & sheep) to death (particularly in sheep).  The UK is predicted to be affected this summer. 

• The BTV restriction zone will be expanded to the whole of England on 1st July 2025.  This effectively means that the buffer zone between cases in the East of England and the Welsh border is being removed, making the risk of BTV entering Wales higher.  Welsh Government has responded to the announcement by making movement of cattle and sheep from England into Wales subject to a specific movement license with pre-movement testing for the virus compulsory from 20th June this year.  

• Ruminants will only be able to move into Wales with a negative test result which will be valid for 7 days from the date of sampling.  

• The aim of the policy is to slow the westward spread of the virus, allowing time for keepers in Wales to vaccinate their stock and for the impacts of the virus in livestock dense areas of England to be assessed.

• Testing is at the keepers expense.

• There are also new rules for attending shows and sales in the restricted zone (England), depending on how long the animal/s are there for.  Speak to your vet for more information.

Vaccinate now to protect your stock - vaccinating before an outbreak works better than when disease has arrived.

Use must be reported to UK government within 48hrs - keepers need to upload the official ear tag numbers of all vaccinated individuals alongside the batch number of the vaccine used.

BTV remains notifiable, any suspicion of disease must be reported on: 0300 303 8268