DEFRA has confirmed that the bluetongue control zone is to be extended following the discovery of a new case of the disease on a farm in Sevenoaks.

The control zone covering parts of Essex and East Anglia will now merge with the control zone in Kent and East Sussex to become a single control zone (see map below).

The protection zone has also been extended slightly in the south west of England. The control zone in the Peterborough area remains unchanged. 

Further information is available to farmers through the DEFRA helpline (0845 9 335577) and website.