Current NSA updates on bluetongue
22nd January 2025
Key links:
- APHA interactive bluetongue map
- Gov.UK How to spot and report bluetongue
- Gov.UK Bluetongue movement licences
- Bluetongue Policy in Wales | GOV.WALES
- Bluetongue Policy in Scotland | GOV.SCOT
- Bluetongue Policy in Northern Ireland
- Bluetongue updates | GOV.UK
- Bluetongue virus | Northern Ireland
- Bluetongue virus | AHDB
- Bluetongue Virus - Ruminant Health & Welfare
24th July 2026
An alarming increase in positive bluetongue cases is causing concern with 29 cases in confirmed in England over the last two weeks, 15 of which have been in sheep. This is significantly higher than this time last year. The South West of England appears to be a particular hotspot currently with a high proportion of cases confirmed in the Exmoor area.
Along with fewer vaccination levels this season, this is causing serious concern. Farmers are encouraged to speak to their vets and consider vaccination. Vaccines are still considered to be effective for 12 months, so revaccination for many will be due.
NSA would also remind keepers that blood samples being submitted need to be clearly labelled with the full individual IDs, the same is relevant for vaccination reporting.
This is according to the latest Defra update (22nd July) available to read here.
Scotland remains bluetongue free and Northern Ireland has had no cases in the 2026/27 season.
11th March 2026
Revised Proposed Disease Control Strategy for Scotland in 2026
Vaccination
- All bluetongue-susceptible animals moving from a RZ to Scotland to live, should be vaccinated for BTV-3 in line with a products label, with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary course.
- Animals moving from Scotland into a RZ can only return to Scotland if vaccinated.
- Bovines must be vaccinated for BTV-3 using Bultavo-3 to move to Scotland to live.
- Animals that are unable to be vaccinated must be tested for bluetongue ahead of a movement from a Restricted Zone to Scotland and within 7 calendar days of the move occurring.
- It is strongly recommended that all bluetongue susceptible animals (sheep, cattle, goats, camelids, and other ruminants) are vaccinated for BTV-3.
Movement to live general conditions
- All bluetongue susceptible animals, prior to move from an RZ to Scotland, should be fully vaccinated for BTV-3, with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary/booster course in line with the product label.
- Animals moving from Scotland to a RZ may only return to Scotland if vaccinated.
- Bovines must be vaccinated using Bultavo-3.
- Any unvaccinated animals must be PCR tested within 7 days of the move, prior to a movement to Scotland from an RZ.
- No animal(s), regardless of being vaccinated or having tested negative for bluetongue, may move to Scotland to live from a premises where a BTV positive animal has been detected in the last 6 months.
Moves to shows/markets – Scotland to an RZ and returning to Scotland
- The previous allowance of a four day period inside an RZ is withdrawn for 2026.
- Animals moving from Scotland into a RZ can only return to Scotland if vaccinated.
- All bluetongue susceptible animals moving into Scotland from other UK countries must be vaccinated for BTV-3, in line with a products label, with 21 days elapsing since completion of the primary/booster course.
- Bovines must be vaccinated for BTV-3 using Bultavo-3, all other species may use any BTV-3 vaccine.
- Any unvaccinated animals must be PCR tested with negative results within seven calendar days of the move, prior to a movement to Scotland from an event within the Restricted Zone
5th March 2026
DAERA and DAFM announce reciprocal Bluetongue derogations to ease trade (Northern Ireland update)
Agriculture Ministers on both sides of the border have today moved to lift animal movement restrictions for breeding and production which were introduced following the Bluetongue outbreaks in both jurisdictions.
Following extensive stakeholder engagement, Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir and Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon have authorised derogations that will allow for the recommencement of cross border movements of Bluetongue susceptible species like cattle and sheep from 9am on Friday 6th March.
