Bluetongue

Recent tests by DEFRA (Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs) on animals at a number of farms in the south east have shown positive for the disease Bluetongue.

These cases are the first of the disease in the country although it has been widely detected in animals in northern Europe since 2006.

Background - what is Bluetongue?

Bluetongue is an animal disease spread by two types of midges.
It does not affect humans and does not affect the food chain.
Unlike other animal diseases like foot and mouth, because it is spread by midge bites it is not spread directly from animal to animal across a herd.
It is a disease of ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, camelids (eg llamas) and goats.

Further information on Bluetongue can be found on the DEFRA website:
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/index.htm

For the latest information on bluetongue including the affected areas etc. please see the DEFRA Bluetongue latest information page:
External link www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/latest/index.htm

What does this mean for livestock owners in the London Borough of Bexley?

The London Borough of Bexley is in the Bluetongue PROTECTION Zone

The London Borough of Bexley enforces the Bluetongue restrictions through its Development & Public Protection Department who contract The City of London, Corporation’s Animal Health & Welfare Services team to carry out Animal Health functions on their behalf. The City of London, Corporation’s Animal Health Team can be contacted on 0208 897 6741 or via email veterinary.harc@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Local farmers and livestock owners should be aware of the following:

What movements can take place

There are no restrictions on the movement of pigs as they are not susceptible to Bluetongue;
You can move ruminants anywhere within the Bluetongue Protection Zone (PZ);
You can move ruminants into the Bluetongue Surveillance Zone (SZ) for slaughter;
You can move ruminants to specifically licenced abattoirs outside the SZ;
You can move ruminants into the Bluetongue PZ from the SZ, however you must then comply with the rules within the Protection Zone.

What movements can't take place

You cannot move ruminants out of the Bluetongue Protection Zone unless to slaughter as outlined above.