Protection zone brought in after two cases of bluetongue disease detected near Lockerbie

A protection zone has been brought into force in Dumfries and Galloway following the detection of more cases of bluetongue disease.

The Scottish Government announced on Thursday that a Temporary Control Zone would be put in place as a “precautionary measure” after a case of bluetongue, or BTV-3, was identified in two lambs near Lockerbie.

It comes after the first cow tested positive for the potentially deadly virus in Scotland on Monday.

Now all movement of livestock such as cattle, sheep and other susceptible ruminants in or out of the zone can only take place under licence.

There will be also be increased surveillance and testing of animals nearby, as officials investigate the source and extent of the disease in the area.

Jim Fairlie, the minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, said: “The recent detection of bluetongue near Lockerbie, combined with the rapid rise in cases across the rest of the UK, means we must act now to strengthen our protections and minimise risk.

“This will allow essential time for further investigations and to allow vaccine uptake levels to increase sufficiently to provide greater protective immunity across susceptible livestock in Scotland.

“I recognise the significant impact this news will have on farmers and the wider industry in the area, and I do not underestimate the pressure this places on those affected. I am very grateful for their continued constructive engagement as we work together to introduce an effective control strategy while minimising restrictions on businesses as far as possible.

“We will ensure that control measures are proportionate. This is a dynamic situation while further investigations are carried out, and we will continue to monitor it closely, considering further control measures as necessary in partnership with industry.”

Additionally, from Saturday, August 22, cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminants travelling from anywhere in Scotland to the Bluetongue Restricted Zone in the rest of the UK must return to Scotland on the same day to minimise the risk of the disease spreading.

This replaces the current rule allowing up to four days away.

From September 10, all livestock susceptible to the disease being moved from a Bluetongue Restricted Zone in the rest of the UK into Scotland will need to be vaccinated, except for livestock returning to Scotland under the “same day” rule.

“Vaccination remains our best long-term defence, and I would strongly encourage all farmers to discuss this with their vets and place vaccine orders now to ensure access to supplies”, Mr Fairlie added.

“We continue to work with other UK nations, manufacturers and distributors to ensure timely access to vaccine, with more doses being brought in from continental Europe and additional supplies now in production.”