Animal controls increased as fifth farm hit by bluetongue
Restrictions on animal movements in and out of affected areas of Dumfries and Galloway have been put in place
Movement of animals across Dumfries and Galloway have now been restricted after bluetongue disease was detected on a fifth farm in the area.
The latest case was reported on a farm near Lockerbie, with two lambs testing positive for the potentially-fatal infection on Wednesday.
Four other farms around Newton Stewart have also reported cases, with the first reported on August 9.
A total of 17 sheep and three cattle have now been found to carry the infection, with the Scottish Government now strengthening controls as “a precaution”. Just under 500 cases have been reported in England.
Bluetongue is a virus spread by insects, mainly midges, and affects ruminant livestock. It poses no threat to humans or food safety.
A Temporary Control Zone has now been put in place in an area around Dumfries and Galloway as a precautionary measure while further investigations are conducted on the source and extent of the disease.
All movement of livestock such as cattle, sheep and other susceptible grazing mammals in or out of the zone can now only take place under licence. Increased surveillance and testing of animals nearby is also due.
Meanwhile, further vaccine stocks are being sought in continental Europe.
Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, said: "The recent detection of bluetongue near Lockerbie, combined with the rapid rise in cases across the rest of the UK, means we must act now to strengthen our protections and minimise risk.
“This will allow essential time for further investigations and to allow vaccine uptake levels to increase sufficiently to provide greater protective immunity across susceptible livestock in Scotland.
"I recognise the significant impact this news will have on farmers and the wider industry in the area, and I do not underestimate the pressure this places on those affected.
“I am very grateful for their continued constructive engagement as we work together to introduce an effective control strategy while minimising restrictions on businesses as far as possible.
“We will ensure that control measures are proportionate. This is a dynamic situation while further investigations are carried out, and we will continue to monitor it closely, considering further control measures as necessary in partnership with industry.”
Mr Fairlie said vaccination remained the best “long-term defence”, with the minister “strongly encouraging” farms to place vaccine orders now to ensure access to supplies.
He said more doses were being brought in from continental Europe, with additional supplies now in production.
Forom Saturday, cattle, sheep and goats and other ruminants that are travelling from anywhere in Scotland to the Bluetongue Restricted Zone in place in the rest of the UK must return to Scotland on the same day to minimise the risk of the disease spreading.
This replaces the current rule allowing up to four days away.
From September 10, all livestock susceptible to the disease that are being moved from a Bluetongue Restricted Zone in the rest of the UK into Scotland will need to be vaccinated, other than livestock returning to Scotland under the "same day" rule.
The Scottish Government said it is working closely with National Farmers Union Scotland, National Sheep Association, National Beef Association, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland, and the Livestock Auctioneers Association, to “ensure industry concerns are heard and reflected in the approach taken”.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.