Another Bluetongue Update.

The first cases of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3 ) this year have just been confirmed (11 July 2025) and they are both relatively close to us.

• Two cattle in Herefordshire were confirmed positive following a non-negative pre-movement test. These were not showing any clinical signs.

• One sheep in Oxfordshire was confirmed positive following a report of suspicious clinical signs, the sheep had hot and painful feet, reluctance to move and was generally unwell

 We are in a vector high-risk period, this means the midge population is active and spreading the virus.

If you see any suspicious clinical signs, get in touch with us immediately.

We have good stock of the BTV vaccine, Bultavo 3, which is the only tool we have to prevent infection and its associated losses.

Vaccinated cattle can move without a pre-movement test, because the vaccine stops the virus from circulating in their blood and prevents midge transmission.

Contact us to order your vaccine.

Bluetongue Movement Update – Wales

 From 14th July, livestock markets in Wales can apply to become Bluetongue Approved Red Markets.

 This means that animals from the Restricted Zone in England can be sold at these approved Welsh markets IF they go direct to slaughter at:

• A designated slaughterhouse in Wales, or

• A slaughterhouse within the Restricted Zone in England

 No vaccination or pre-movement testing is needed as long as animals go straight to slaughter under the rules above.

 At this stage, we don’t yet know which markets have applied or been accepted, but we’ll keep you posted.