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STV News
02-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Scottish farmers warned of new cross-border bluetongue virus restrictions
Scottish farmers have been warned of new cross-border bluetongue virus restrictions for livestock travelling up from England. From July 1, any farmer wishing to move cattle and sheep from England into Scotland must now apply for a movement licence from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). It's part of the new UK Government rules to control the spread of the bluetongue virus among livestock, and the National Farmers Union of Scotland has made clear that the measures will have 'significant consequences' for Scottish producers and farmers. The union said Scottish producers who regularly market stock at English sales may now face 'costly and complex return protocols'. Bluetongue is a virus spread by biting midges which impacts livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats. One of the key symptoms of the disease is a blue, swollen tongue, and concerns are growing as the summer months approach. It can also affect deer and llamas, but humans and food safety are not at risk. In rare cases, dogs can catch bluetongue if they eat infected material, such as the placenta or other birthing tissue of an animal with the disease. The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced the restricted zone for bluetongue has been extended to cover all of England. Farmers and producers will now need a movement licence issued by APHA to move animals to Scotland, which confirms the animals have: a valid pre-movement test, or vaccination with the Boehringer Bultavo-3 vaccine (for cattle only). Sheep cannot move to Scotland without a negative BTV-3 pre-movement test from the National Reference Laboratory (Pirbright), even if they're vaccinated. 'Vaccination remains a vital tool in protecting animal health,' NFU Scotland animal health and welfare policy manager Penny Middleton explained. 'All available vaccines provide effective protection against the symptoms of BTV-3, but manufacturers are currently unable to demonstrate that any vaccine prevents transmission of BTV-3 in sheep. 'For that reason,the Scottish Government will continue to require pre-movement testing of all sheep moving into Scotland, regardless of vaccination status.' NFU Scotland has made clear that these measures will have 'significant consequences' for cross-border trade, but the union has consistently opposed Scotland joining the BTV-3 Restricted Zone, citing the need to maintain strong disease prevention measures. NFU Scotland has promised to keep its position under review with members as the situation progresses. Further updates, guidance and frequently asked questions on the bluetongue virus have been made available on the NFU Scotland website. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
North Wales Live
26-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Bird flu confirmed at North Wales commercial premises
Bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial premises in North Wales. A 3km protection zone, and 10km surveillance zone which extends into England, have been set up, after the case was discovered near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham. A Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs statement said: "Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises in Wales near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham (AIV 2025/49). "A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. Part of the 10km surveillance zone extends into England." Anybody within the surveillance zone must keep a records of visitors, of all poultry entering or leaving the premises and report any increases in deaths, or drop in egg production and all poultry movements as part of measures to stop the spread. The Welsh Government has issued this guidance about bird flu: Report a suspicion Contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office immediately on 0300 303 8268 if you suspect avian influenza. APHA vets will investigate suspected cases. Clinical signs The following clinical signs may be present: swollen head blue discolouration of the neck and throat loss of appetite respiratory distress such as: gaping beak, coughing/sneezing, gurgling diarrhoea fewer eggs laid increased mortality Transmission and prevention Although Avian influenza is a disease of birds, in rare cases humans can become infected. Some strains of Avian influenza can spread easily and quickly between birds and have a high death rate. All bird keepers must: continue to practice the highest levels of biosecurity be vigilant for any signs of disease You should register your poultry (on even if only kept as pets, so APHA can contact you during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Biosecurity advice All bird keepers are urged to maintain high levels of biosecurity; whether you have a few pet birds, or if you have a large commercial flock. To ensure high levels of biosecurity, all poultry keepers should: minimise movement of people in and out of bird enclosures clean and disinfect footwear using a government approved disinfectant, and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy ensure the areas where birds are kept are not attractive to wild birds, for example, by netting ponds and by removing access to food sources keep your birds separate to and without access to areas where especially geese, ducks and gulls are present feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment that have come into contact with poultry, and reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas keep a close watch on birds for any signs of disease and report any sick birds or unexplained deaths to your vet or APHA Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus The risk of HPAI virus (bird flu) increases during the winter. Migratory waterfowl and gulls are the most likely cause of HPAI incursion. (Migratory wildfowl include ducks, geese and swans.) This is based on experience over the last two winters. Along with with scientific and veterinary opinion.
Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
The disease rife in England causing major issues for one of Wales' largest events
The disease rife in England causing major issues for one of Wales' largest events A ban on travelling animals has been put in place for the Royal Welsh Show A major change has been announced for the Royal Welsh Show (Image: John Myers ) A disease carried by midges which can kill livestock has led one of Wales' biggest events to take the step of banning some animals from its flagship event. Bluetongue is a viral disease which is spread by biting midges, and affects sheep, cattle, goats and deer, llama and alpaca. It is circulating in England and Wales. Rarely, it can affect dogs and other carnivores but it does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safety. Now, the Royal Welsh Show, a huge event to both the farming community and Powys, has banned livestock from England from this year's event following the spread of the bluetongue virus. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Animals that must travel through a restricted zone are also banned, effectively denying entry to any livestock from Scotland. It is expected there will be 40% fewer cattle competing at this year's show. The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said it had acted as a result of "growing concern". "We recognise the growing concern surrounding the current bluetongue situation and the uncertainty it presents for livestock exhibitors. We want to reassure our exhibitors that we are committed to working with and supporting you as the situation unfolds. Article continues below "We are actively monitoring developments and are in close communication with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Welsh Government veterinary team." The statement continued: "This policy has been introduced to safeguard the health of livestock exhibited at this year's Royal Welsh Show and to help reduce the risk of bluetongue spreading. We would like to reassure all attendees that Bluetongue does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safety". Symptoms vary but include fever, lesions, redness of the mouth, eyes, nose, reddening of the skin above the hoof, excessive salivation and nasal discharge. However, animals may show little or no clinical signs. It does not affect humans or food safety – meat and milk from infected animals are also safe to eat and drink. BTV-3 is a relatively new strain, first reported in September 2023 in the Netherlands. Cases have since been reported in Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Denmark and Switzerland. The first case was confirmed in the UK on November 10, 2023. The Welsh Government confirmed the first Bluetongue (BTV3) case in Wales in Gwynedd on September 27. A second case was then found on Anglesey weeks later. There have been no cases of bluetongue in Wales so far this year but show chief executive Aled Rhys Jones told S4C's farming programme Ffermio, external: "It was a hard decision. Naturally we're disappointed and so are a lot of exhibitors who have supported us along the years but it's the responsible decision to follow the science and veterinary advice." The show's chief vet Dafydd Jones said testing animals was impractical with only one testing centre in the UK. He added: "It's possible to test on one day and the animal picks up the virus the following day. The idea of discovering bluetongue on the show field would be a nightmare – the last thing we want." NFU Cymru president Aled Jones told BBC Radio Wales earlier this week the virus was "very concerning" to farmers. "We've had many reports of clinical symptoms of bluetongue and no farmer would wish to see them. I think that there's abroad understanding we need to keep the disease out. "It does not transmit from cattle to cattle or sheep to sheep, it required a vector, and those are midges, small flies that are blood sucking. If they take infected blood from one animal they can then bite another animal and then transmit the disease, so it's a complex disease. "Obviously weather related because midge activity will be low when the temperatures are when low when they're not flying but as temperatures warm up, activity increases quite rapidly and it can be borne in the wind as well. That's why the complexity we have to be wary of." Mr Jones said symptoms are very obvious and those animals will die and abortions may be needed. However, some don't show signs and are carriers. "Dealing with this disease is so difficult, it inevitably means a lot of testing and testing is very expensive." Article continues below
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Royal Welsh bans English livestock amid bluetongue
The Royal Welsh Show is to ban livestock from England from this year's event following the spread of the bluetongue virus. In a statement, organisers said they "recognised the growing concern" around the recent outbreak. Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) said livestock entries of animals susceptible to the virus - particularly cattle, sheep and goats - will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue virus restricted zone. The zone is to be extended to cover the whole of England from 1 July before the annual show in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells in Powys, on 21-24 July. Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3), mainly spread by midge bites, does not affect humans or risk food safety. Warning of 'massive impact' of farm virus in Wales Bluetongue virus 'causing farmers stress and anxiety' Latest Welsh Government advice RWAS said it was committed to working with and supporting exhibitors amid the outbreak and is working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Welsh government veterinary team. "Our goal is to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place, in line with the most up-to-date guidance," the statement read. "That said, we are taking steps to provide clarity based on current guidance, while being transparent that circumstances may evolve before the Royal Welsh Show in July. "This policy has been introduced to safeguard the health of livestock exhibited at this year's Royal Welsh Show and to help reduce the risk of bluetongue spreading." The RWAS said: Entries will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue restricted zone. Exhibitors who are required to travel through a restricted zone to attend the show will also not be permitted to attend. If an exhibitor enters the show but subsequently moves into a restricted zone, they will no longer be eligible to attend. Exhibitors unaffected by bluetongue restrictions will remain subject to the society's general rules and regulations. The RWAS said the policy could change according to any updates in government policy before the show. Current pre-movement testing exemptions apply in England, Scotland and Wales until 12 June when the Welsh government is due to announce an update. Last summer, the Royal Welsh Show celebrated 120 years since the annual agricultural show first began. Bluetongue does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safety In rare instances, however, dogs and other carnivores can contract it if they consume infected substances such as aborted material and afterbirth. It affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – but in most cases seen since September 2024 clinical signs have been mild and animals have recovered. Bluetongue is classed as a "notifiable" disease, meaning it is an offence not to report it to the authorities. Signs of bluetongue in cattle include lethargy, crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle, and redness of the mouth, eyes and, nose. In sheep, signs include ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose, discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth, and the swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck, as well as the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot). Other symptoms include red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface, fever, lameness, breathing problems, abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths. The disease can be fatal. We'll work with anyone for rural life, say farmers
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning after dead gull tests positive for bird flu
A herring gull found dead has tested positive for bird flu, the Animal and Plant Health Agency has confirmed. The bird was found in Whitehaven and the agency said it was aware of a number of other wild bird deaths in the area. Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners said a number of positive cases of avian influenza had also been reported in the Whitehaven Harbour area. A spokesman said that people should not "panic" but refrain from touching or picking up dead or sick birds and report any discoveries online. Earlier in the year bird flu was found in Burnopfield, Lazonby in Cumbria and in dead swans found in a park in Chester-le-Street. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Section of bird flu protection zone lifted Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
