Bluetongue latest: Experts urge vaccination for stronger sales

Latest news on bluetongue disease in the UK

Livestock experts urge bluetongue vaccination for stronger sales

August 6, 2026

Executive secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers Association Chris Dodds said farmers looking to sell livestock for stores or for breeding purposes should look to vaccinate against bluetongue where possible, as it gives ‘confidence' to the buyer that they are ‘suitably protected'.

Mr Dodds said while the majority of farmers will not alter their selling pattern and will stick to their normal sales, some buyers might be a little more hesitant to buy sheep from areas where there has been a bad outbreak of bluetongue.

His overriding message to the majority farmers was that ‘it is not too late to vaccinate'.

Bluetongue 'soul destroying' for farmers and vets

August 5, 2026

Bluetongue is ‘spreading like wild fire' across the South West in what has been described as a ‘soul destroying' situation.

Rebecca Cavill, vet and director at Torch Farm Vets in North Devon, said she was still waiting for blood test results for around 220 holdings.

"I treated three sheep at a farm last Tuesday (July 28), and by Friday we were treating 100. Two had been lost but by Sunday 15 were lost, and I treated another 60. The farmer only has 200 sheep.

"You are going from call to call and seeing the same array of symptoms."

Wales' chief vet warns farmers to source livestock safely amid rise in bluetongue cases in England

August 5, 2026

Wales' Chief Veterinary Officer has warned Welsh farmers to source stock safely and ‘do not buy in more than you bargained far' during the upcoming breeding season, following the rapid rise of bluetongue in the south west of England.

Richard Irvine said it was a ‘worrying picture' that was unfolding in England and it was time for farmers and vets in Wales to take action now to 'get ahead' of what was a 'gravely concerning' situation in the south west counties.

Mr Irvine said: "With breeding season approaching, sourcing stock safely is going to be crucial. Farmers need to understand the health status of livestock in regards to bluetongue, understand the vaccine status, particularly when buying in stock. In a nut shell source stock safely so you do not buy in more than you bargained for."

Defra faces criticism over bluetongue reporting 'nightmare'

August 4, 2026

A Liberal Democrat MP has criticised Defra for its 'nightmare' reporting process when it comes to bluetongue.

The Tiverton and Minehead MP Rachel Gilmour said farmers and vets told her that the Defra reporting process was a 'nightmare' and that in one case, it took a vet an hour to report a single incident.

She said: "There is no way to cross-reference if the same farm reported a case the week before.

"Defra needs to step up its game in supporting and listening to our farmers. They need to understand that our farmers are on the frontline of climate change, and that this outbreak is a direct result of it."

Farmers forced to house 'vulnerable' livestock during peak midge activity

August 4, 2026

The NFU vice president said farmers are moving 'high risk' or 'non-vaccinated' stock away from 'wet, low-lying or sheltered areas' and keeping 'vulnerable animals' housed during peak midge activity.

Robyn Munt said changes to the management of livestock was adding pressure on farmers and forage stocks during an already challenging time.

It comes as bluetongue continues to spread at an 'alarming rate' raising significant concerns for livestock farmers across the country.

Bluetongue cases shot up last week to 'over 590', says NSA

August 3, 2026

National Sheep Association (NSA) said the number of reported bluetongue cases shot up last week to 'over 590, from just 115' the previous week, but that vaccine manufacturers were still able to keep up with demand.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said calls on stocks of vaccines have increased and stocks have reduced, but he said they have been assured that vaccine manufacturers are doing what they can to ensure demand can be met.

Bluetongue surge prompts urgent farming industry briefing

August 3, 2026

Soaring cases of Bluetongue serotype-3 (BTV-3) have prompted an urgent industry briefing later this week (Wednesday August 5), with the situation in the South West of England described by a local farm vet to be 'rapidly getting worse'.

Welsh farmers urged to be vigilant as more bluetongue cases confirmed

August 3, 2026

Farmers and livestock keepers across Wales are being urged to check for signs of bluetongue, report any suspect cases to APHA and consider vaccination, as more BTV-3 cases are being confirmed in England and Wales.

MP demands urgent action as South West becomes bluetongue hotspot

August 2, 2026

Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs spokesperson Sarah Dyke has called on the Government to take urgent action to support South West farmers following a sharp rise in confirmed cases of bluetongue virus (BTV-3) across Somerset and Devon.

In the fortnight to 23 July alone, more than a dozen cases were confirmed across Somerset and Devon, with new cases recorded on almost every reporting date. Some affected animals have died, while symptoms have included fever, facial swelling, ulceration around the mouth, lameness and rapid loss of body condition.

Worried farmer urges others to remember 'they are not alone' as bluetongue cases surge

July 31, 2026

A farmer has issued a plea to others across the South West to be alert to the signs and symptoms of bluetongue after finding animals dead on her North Devon farm.

Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, who farms around 150 sheep and a small number of cattle alongside her 80-year-old father, posted an emotional video online expressing her guilt at not already having her animals vaccinated and to remind others in the same situation, that they 'are not alone'.

At least eight sheep have already died and fifth-generation farmer Ms Cottle-Hunkin now has a two-week wait to see whether bluetongue is confirmed.

Hear North Devon sheep farmer Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin's story on Instagram:

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Staffordshire reports first clinical BTV-3 sheep case of summer

July 15, 2026

Livestock keepers are being urged to remain vigilant after Staffordshire recorded England's first confirmed clinical case of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) in sheep of the 2026 vector season.

More work needed on easing of bluetongue restrictions in Wales

August 4, 2025

Farmers in Wales have been provided a small ray of hope that the impact of bluetongue restrictions could be reduced over the next few months, but only if livestock have been vaccinated.

Welsh Government has announced that from August 18, 2025, farmers could potentially take livestock to one of eight pre-approved markets in England within a 12 mile radius of the border.

However, farmers will have to prove all livestock has completed a course of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination before entering auction marts.

Cross-border movement eased as Wales introduces 'red markets'

July 14, 2025

From July 14, 2025, animals can be moved from the Restricted Zone in England to a bluetongue approved red market in Wales, for direct onward movement to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or one within the restricted zone.

NFU Cymru said the introduction of approved red markets was a ‘step forward' in supporting farmers affected by bluetongue.

From July 14, 2025, livestock markets in Wales will be able to apply to become a red market.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: "I have been listening and closely monitoring the situation. Following constructive discussions with industry representatives this week, I am pleased to confirm that the evidence now supports easing some of the current restrictions."

Bluetongue Movements Checker tool launched to support farmers

July 1, 2025

The Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) and AHDB have released the Bluetongue Movements Checker to help farmers navigate the complex and changing bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) restrictions.

From July 1, 2025, the restricted zone has been extended to cover the whole of England.

The Bluetongue Movements Checker tool is an interactive online system which allows farmers to find out the correct advice and licensing requirements for moving animals around the UK, depending on the location and nature of the movement.

Bluetongue restricted zone extended to cover whole of England

May 23, 2025

The bluetongue virus restricted zone has been extended from July 1, 2025 to cover the whole of England, ending movement restrictions for animals and allowing farmers to move cattle, sheep, all ruminants, and camelids, throughout England without movement tests, APHA has announced.

The decision to extend the zone follows consultation between industry and scientists, recognising that the area of England where disease has previously been found is now too large for movement restrictions to remain an effective and proportionate way of controlling the disease.

This new approach is in alignment with the approach taken throughout the EU. This will also allow a renewed focus on resources on higher priority disease risks, which now presents a greater risk to industry, such as Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever, Defra said.

What is bluetongue?

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease caused by infection which can affect ruminants, such as sheep, cattle, goats, deer, and camelids.

Bluetongue can be spread by certain species of biting midges, through the movement of infected animals and animal products (such as blood and germinal products including semen, eggs, ova and embryos) within the UK and through imports, and infected pregnant animals transmitting the virus to their young.

Signs and symptoms of bluetongue

Defra has provided the following information on the signs of bluetongue.

Sheep

Ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose
Discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth
Swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot)
Red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface
Fever
Lameness
Breathing problems
Abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths
Death

Lambs

Lambs born small, weak, deformed or blind
Death of lambs within a few days of birth
Stillbirths

Cattle

Lethargy
Crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle
Redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
Reddening of the skin above the hoof
Nasal discharge
Reddening and erosions on the teats
Fever
Milk drop
Not eating
Abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths
Adult cattle may be infectious for several weeks while showing little or no sign of disease. They are often the preferred host for biting midges (the vector of bluetongue virus).

Calves

Calves born small, weak, deformed or blind
Death of calves within a few days of birth
Stillbirths

What does bluetongue look like?

Preventing bluetongue

Responsibly sourcing livestock
Remaining vigilant to signs of disease
Housing animals in buildings that keep out biting midges – this is especially important at dawn and dusk
Maintaining good hygiene and biosecurity on your premises
Not allowing farm dogs, cats or pets to eat, chew on or play with potentially infected materials (such as aborted material and afterbirth)
Vaccinating your animals with a suitable authorised vaccine

Government advice

Following the extension of the bluetongue virus restricted zone, from July 1, to cover the whole of England, UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: "Through movement controls, we have slowed the westerly spread of bluetongue until vaccines are available.

"We are now moving away from Government-imposed movement controls, which are costly and disruptive to farming particularly those within the zones.

"An all-England restriction zone will allow livestock farmers currently impacted by burdensome restrictions to be on equal footing with rest of England," Dr Middlemiss added.

"I urge all livestock keepers to report suspect disease. It is especially important to remember that foot and mouth disease and bluetongue can have similar clinical presentation."

Animal and Plant Health Agency's chief executive Jenny Stewart said: "Scientists, vets and field teams from the Animal and Plant Health Agency are working hard to help tackle bluetongue virus and ensure farmers are kept up to date and supported."