The government has today (23 May) set out how we will work with the farming industry to manage an outbreak of bluetongue virus in England this year.
Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides species) and affects cattle, sheep, and other ruminants such as goats and deer, and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The virus does not affect people or food safety.
The Bluetongue Serotype 3 Disease Control Framework was developed in discussion with the farming industry. It sets out how disease control efforts will focus on movement control of susceptible animals and their germinal products (semen, eggs, ova and embryos) as a precautionary tool to stem spread of the disease until a safe and effective vaccine for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) becomes widely available.
The government is working hard to facilitate safe access to a BTV-3 vaccine as soon as possible, including actively engaging with vaccine manufacturers, but it is vital that any vaccine has the confidence of industry, consumers and trading partners.
Biosecurity Minister Lord Douglas Miller said:
"It is vital that we proactively plan and prepare for any potential bluetongue incursion and outbreak so that the impact on farmers and livestock keepers can be minimised as far as possible.
"We are actively engaging with vaccine manufacturers and industry about access to a safe and effective BTV-3 vaccine that has undergone thorough due diligence.
"All disease control decisions will be kept under constant review to ensure they remain proportionate and as effective as possible in controlling the spread of the disease."
This includes understanding the efficacy of any vaccine, together with potential impacts on trade - a view shared by industry. Defra is actively monitoring vaccine data from EU countries and will continue to work with industry on any decisions on use of a deployable vaccine.
Farmers should continue to monitor their animals frequently whilst making sure their livestock and land is registered with APHA with up-to-date
