Bluetongue restrictions condemned as costly and impractical

Farming organisations in England and Wales have warned the UK and Welsh governments about the negative impacts of bluetongue policies on both sides of Offa’s Dyke.

Under the new bluetongue regime, the whole of England will be a restricted zone (RZ) from 1 July. 

As a consequence, the Welsh government now insists that animals moving into Wales from England will have to have been vaccinated against bluetongue or have had a negative pre-movement test. 

See also: Financial support for bluetongue testing ruled out

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has branded the move by Defra to make England a single RZ as “irresponsible”.

In a letter to Defra secretary Steve Reed, the FUW said farmers felt “resentful” of the decision, which “places the Welsh government and agricultural sector in an extremely difficult situation”.

“Defra’s unwillingness to continue to contain disease will cause extreme difficulties for the 550 farms that straddle the Welsh and English border,” wrote FUW president Ian Rickman.

Inconsiderate to real-world impact

NFU, NFU Cymru, and National Sheep Association (NSA) have strongly criticised both governments for their lack of consideration of the real-world impacts.

“The costly and impractical requirement for pre-movement testing to move stock into Wales and, we anticipate, Scotland, is causing immense concern among many livestock farmers,” said NFU president Tom Bradshaw. 

“We are urging them to consider the real-world impact of this approach,” he added.

Writing to the Welsh government, NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said the decision will have a damaging impact on the viability of several auction marts.

“Vendors will have far fewer buyers competing for store and breeding sheep, resulting in a two-tier trade and devaluing stock,” he wrote.

Regulations in Wales

For cattle to move into Wales under license without a pre-movement test from Friday 20 June, they need to be fully vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bultavo-3 vaccine.

All sheep must be pre-movement tested and require an accompanying licence to move into Wales to live from the RZ in England.

No vaccine products currently meet the requirements for protecting sheep from BTV-3.    

Moves direct to slaughter can continue from 20 June and do not require a pre-movement test, however, there will be an additional requirement from 1 July, when receiving abattoirs in Wales must be designated and meet appropriate licencing conditions.  

Policy under review

Despite industry concerns, Wales deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies insists his goal remains keeping bluetongue out of Wales and encourages vaccination.

“Should the evidence change, and we need to alter the policy, we will revisit and review this in a dynamic way,” he said.