Latest on Bluetongue

Bluetongue continues to present a significant challenge for livestock farmers across the UK. Farmers Weekly brings together the latest news, expert insight and practical guidance to help farmers understand the risks and make informed decisions. From recognising symptoms and understanding how the disease spreads, to vaccination, livestock movements and the latest government guidance, this campaign provides a trusted source of information as the situation develops. Explore our in-depth video, latest coverage and essential resources to stay up to date with the latest developments and understand what bluetongue could mean for your farm.

Latest Bluetongue news

NEWS

Bluetongue testing delays blamed on sample bottleneck

Animal health officials say sample-processing bottlenecks, not lack of laboratory capacity, caused the bluetongue testing delays this summer. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) and Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)…

BLUETONGUE

NI farmers warned over rising bluetongue threat

Northern Ireland farmers are being warned to remain vigilant after bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) was detected in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the livestock disease closer to the border than…

NEWS

This Week in Farming: Bluetongue changes and rent reviews

Welcome back to another edition of This Week in Farming, your one-stop shop for the best content from Farmers Weekly in the last seven days. First, here’s your markets (opens…

NEWS

Vets raise concerns over new bluetongue reporting system

Vets have warned that changes to bluetongue case reporting could have unintended consequences for disease surveillance. Changes introduced by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) on Friday (11 September)…

NEWS

Apha targets bluetongue testing backlog with new system

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) expects to clear its bluetongue testing backlog within 10 days after introducing a new reporting system designed to relieve pressure on laboratories. Under…

FARM POLICY

MPs demand answers over bluetongue outbreak response

MPs have demanded answers from animal health agencies over vaccine shortages, testing delays and the UK’s preparedness for the escalating bluetongue outbreak. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) committee…

NEWS

New bluetongue map shows where virus is most active

A new bluetongue map showing where the virus is most active has been launched as confirmed cases continue to rise across Great Britain. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha)…

NEWS

Farmers urged to prepare now for 2027 bluetongue threat

Cattle farmers should begin planning for next year’s bluetongue season now, amid warnings the disease threat in 2027 could be even greater. National Beef Association (NBA) chief executive Neil Shand…

Latest Bluetongue insights

NEWS

Bluetongue: Is the UK’s strategy keeping pace?

The rapid spread of bluetongue this summer has reignited the debate over whether government and industry have done enough to prepare for a disease that many now believe is becoming…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Low vaccination rate leaves livestock exposed to bluetongue

With bluetongue disease knocking on the door, and with less than 3% of the nation’s ruminant livestock vaccinated, government and private vets are urging a much more rapid uptake of…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Analysis: What farmers need to know about bluetongue

The current outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) is likely to get worse in the coming weeks before it improves, warn industry leaders. Since the first case in this…

LIVESTOCK

Q&A: All you need to know about bluetongue disease

With bluetongue disease on the increase again in mainland Europe and with midge activity expected to gather pace as the weather warms up, Farmers Weekly spoke to Defra deputy chief…

Other resources

Interactive map

Interactive map of Bluetongue Cases & Zones provided by Animal & Plant Health Agency.

View interactive map

Defra situation

Overview of current bluetongue cases, risk level, vaccinations and restrictions.

View situation

AHDB hub

The latest updates, news and advice about the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation in the UK.

Visit hub

How to spot

The signs of bluetongue virus, how you must report it and what happens when you do.

Read guide