NFU Cymru has been in touch with Welsh Government to confirm what this means for Wales:

• The requirement for a slaughterhouse to be designated to receive animals from the RZ is removed,
• Subject to a negative pre-movement test, animals can move from the RZ to Scotland and Wales to live, positive animals cannot move to Wales and Scotland,
• Post-movement testing of animals moved out of the RZ to live is no longer required GB wide,
• Use of insecticides in transport, at approved markets or designated abattoirs is not required

This means that stock from Welsh farms currently located within the RZ in England, such as sheep away on tack, may now move home to Wales subject to a clear pre-movement test.

There is free pre-movement testing currently available to move animals from England and more information about how to apply can be found on the Government website.

You should register using the CPH of the holding the animals are on tack at in England.

Timing is critical and the guidance states that a vet should sample the animals no more than 21 days before the move – this allows time to get your results.

The movement must take place within 21 days of the sample being taken during the SVLP. As we get nearer to the time when midges become active, Defra expect to reduce the time allowed between sampling and movement. APHA estimate you will receive the results three working days after they receive your samples, but you should allow up to 5 working days.

If an animal tests positive at the pre-movement test, its movement will be restricted. If an animal tests positive then it is only the positive animal that is restricted, not the whole bunch.

Welsh Government is in the process of confirming if these moves will take place under general or specific movement license.

‘Window of opportunity but vigilance is key’

NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader said: “Confirmation that we are now in the seasonally vector low period for bluetongue virus (BTV) is to be welcomed.

“For Welsh farmers wanting to move stock from within the RZ in England into Wales, especially those with sheep away on tack, there is a window of opportunity for this now to happen, subject to pre-movement testing.

“While we are in the low vector period, vigilance and good biosecurity remain key. If you suspect a case of Bluetongue, you must report it immediately to APHA.”

Read the full update at: GOV.UK | Seasonally vector low period for bluetongue begins.

Ongoing policy work

NFU Cymru is working with Welsh Government on its control strategy for BTV. It is highly likely that we will see overwintering and there may be a resurgence of the virus in the UK this spring as the temperatures rise again. This means we must be prepared as, although there is modelling taking place, we cannot be exactly sure where or when the virus will resurface. The CVO for Wales recently spoke at NFU Cymru Council and members of Council had the opportunity to question him about the approach Welsh Government may take towards BTV-3 in 2025.

There are three vaccines approved for emergency use in the UK by the Defra Secretary of State, none of them are currently licensed for use in Wales.

BTV update - 4 February: abortions and deformities in calves

Over the last few weeks, APHA have started receiving reports of aborted calves or new borne calves, mostly in the high-risk areas of England, showing weakness, ill thrift and / or brain deformities – these later died or were euthanised. Upon veterinary inspection (postmortems or serological tests), these calves have been confirmed as BTV3 positive.

NFU Cymru is also hearing from EU Countries that they are seeing similar issues with calves.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease – this means that any animal keeper who suspects BTV in their animals must report that suspicion which includes any abortions or deformed calves.

These clinical impacts on new borne or aborted calves is an indication of infection in the dam during early second trimester of pregnancy (so these early cases indicate infection during Sept-Oct 2024). We don’t know yet what the next few weeks of spring calving and lambing will ‘look like’ for animal keepers, but this development in the clinical picture is concerning.

Abortions and/ or brain deformities can also indicate the previous presence of other diseases, such as the non-notifiable Schallenberg Virus (SBV). It is important to note that cattle keepers have a legal duty to report abortions under legislation associated with Brucellosis.

NFU Cymru urges all cattle keepers to report any abortions or premature, deformed, ill-thrifting calves to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on  0300 303 8268.