Bluetongue protection zone to be extended again

The bluetongue protection zone is due to be extended again on Monday (11 August).

The zone will now cover Durham, Tyne and Wear, Hartlepool, Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

The extension was agreed after more vaccine became available from animal health company Intervet.

DEFRA said that while the vaccine would be available to farmers in the protection zone from Monday, orders for the vaccine should be made as soon as possible.