Freedom from Bluetongue announced
Jim Paice
Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced today that restrictions on exporting sheep and cattle from Great Britain due to bluetongue disease, will be lifted.The restrictions were imposed in 2007, following the first cases of bluetongue in Great Britain.
Mr Paice said:
“This is great news for farmers – and it’s an achievement by farmers too. This is the result of a strong and successful partnership between government, farmers and vets to eradicate this serious disease.
“Our new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England is building on this partnership approach to create a better way to tackle animal diseases. There have been no new cases of bluetongue in Britain for two years, but farmers and vets need to remain vigilant and continue to be careful of animals they import.”
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the announcement that Great Britain is to be declared bluetongue (BTV8) free on 5th July.
Defra has announced that Bluetongue-free status will mean that animals exported from GB to bluetongue-free countries will not require vaccination or have to meet any other bluetongue requirements.
However, the current EU Bluetongue Directive only allows bluetongue vaccination within a protection zone. From 5th July vaccination will no longer be permitted in GB. The BVA is supporting Defra to lobby for these rules to be changed to allow vaccination in bluetongue areas.
Commenting, Harvey Locke, BVA President, said:
“The move to bluetongue freedom is thanks to the excellent partnership between government, farmers and vets across Great Britain. It is a tremendous achievement to turn the situation around from the outbreak in 2007 to freedom in 2011.
“We are disappointed that changes to the EU Directive to allow vaccination to continue could not be made before the deadline and we will continue to work with Defra to try to secure this change as soon as possible to allow vets and farmers to make the right choice to protect their herds.
“Those farmers and vets that wish to vaccinate must do so before the 5th July.
“The BVA would reiterate the message to farmers to source stock responsibly to help avoid a future outbreak.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
