Bluetongue: Farmers warned disease will take permanent hold across Scotland as restricted zone established
Officials confirmed the virus is here to stay.
The south west of Scotland has become a restricted zone for livestock as ministers warn the potentially fatal bluetongue virus will likely spread across the country.
An official Restricted Zone will replace a temporary control zone in the southern area, which primarily includes Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire council areas, from September 10, following evidence that the disease is in circulation there.
Under the change livestock such as cattle, sheep and other susceptible ruminants will need a licence if they are being moved out of the zone to the rest of Scotland.
On announcing the restricted area, minister for agriculture Jim Fairlie, said: "We have been doing all we can to stop bluetongue getting a foothold but the evidence now is regrettably showing us that the disease is circulating in south-west Scotland, meaning that legally we have to make that area a Restricted Zone.
"What this shows is that the disease is not going away any time soon, and industry should start to prepare for the disease gaining a permanent hold within the rest of Scotland.”
Up until last month, Scotland was the only country in the UK that was free from bluetongue.
The first case was detected on August 8 in a lamb on a farm in Creetown, Dumfries and Galloway. Farmer Fiona Johnson had bought the animal locally after moving to the south west of Scotland from England earlier this year with her family.
As of September 4, 79 animals across 20 holdings in south-west Scotland have been confirmed positive for bluetongue, specifically the BTV-3 strain.
Farmers have been warned if an animal is showing clinical signs of bluetongue, which can include a sudden high fever, swelling of the head and mouth, and painful ulcers, it must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
BTV-3 does not affect people or food safety, but it causes a high rate of death in infected sheep and fertility problems in infected cattle.
Officials said dropping temperatures can reduce the risk of the disease spreading, and therefore restrictions will continue to change.
The National Farmers Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) said vaccination remains the best way to protect susceptible livestock and reduce the impact of BTV-3.
The union has urged the Scottish Government to order more vaccines and work with vets to prioritise and co-ordinate supply following a shortage.
Mr Fairlie added: "I recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for farmers and the wider industry and we are continuing to work closely with them on how we deal with the disease in Scotland for the longer term.
"While we have no choice but to establish a Restricted Zone, the risk of spread reduces during the colder months. That is why, after listening to industry feedback, we remain able to continue to change restrictions on the movement of some animals out of the zone from September 10.
"What will not change is that vaccination is the only viable long-term strategy for controlling bluetongue. As such, I would urge anyone with susceptible livestock to speak to their vet as soon as possible, both to discuss the right approach for their animals and to make sure vaccine is available when it is needed."
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