The NFU has issued a timely reminder for farmers to be vigilant about the threat posed by Bluetongue after the disease was successfully picked up in two cattle imported from France through the routine post-import testing regime.
Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. The virus is transmitted by midge bites and affects cows, goats, sheep and other camelids such as llamas. It can reduce milk yield and cause infertility and in the most severe cases is fatal for infected animals. The midges are most active between May and October and not all susceptible animals show immediate signs of contracting the virus.
Action is being taken to ensure the risk of spread of the disease is reduced, with movement restrictions at the affected premises. The two cattle were isolated and have been humanely culled.
Strict rules on the movement of livestock from regions affected by bluetongue are already in place and farmers are reminded that animals imported from these regions must be accompanied by the relevant paperwork to clearly show they meet certain conditions designed to reduce disease risk, such as correct vaccination.
Following the successful interception of the infected animals, the UK remains officially bluetongue-free, the risk of the disease remains low and exports are not affected.
NFU chief livestock adviser John Royle said: “The NFU is aware that a number of cattle have been imported from France onto a farm in England.
“The UK’s post-import surveillance testing identified that some of these animals were infected with bluetongue (BTV8) and posed a risk to other susceptible animals. These high-risk cattle have been humanely culled, demonstrating that our surveillance system is robust and successful in identifying these animals.
“Action has been taken to ensure there is no onward spread of disease, including the culling of animals, movement restrictions at the affected premises and targeted surveillance of cattle and midges."
"This is a timely reminder to farmers to be vigilant about the threat posed by Bluetongue. It is important that farmers and traders consider carefully the risks associated with importing animals and report any disease suspicions to their vet or APHA.”
See also: Bluetongue - what you need to know
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for the UK, Graeme Cooke, said: “Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease impacts farming, causing reduced milk yield in cows and infertility in sheep.
“This detection is an example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action but must highlight to farmers the risks which come with bringing animals from disease-affected areas into their herds. Regulations and systems are in place for the benefit of our UK livestock industry.
“It is also a clear reminder for farmers that the disease remains a threat, despite coming towards the end of the season when midges are active.
“Farmers must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA. Farmers should work with their importer to make sure effective vaccination needs are complied with, source animals responsibly and consider the health status of their own herd if they are not protected
“Movement restrictions will remain in place on the premises for at least several weeks until testing rules out spread via local midges.”
Farmers have the option to send animals without fully compliant paperwork back to France or to cull them as a measure to reduce the risk of disease spreading to susceptible UK livestock.
The UK Government has worked closely with a number of groups to raise awareness of the threat of bluetongue through the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB). The most recent case of the disease in the UK came in 2007. The UK has been officially free from the disease since July 2011.
For more information about bluetongue visit gov.uk or the dedicated NFUonline advice page here.