Bluetongue Protection Zone extended again

The bluetongue Protection Zone has been extended again, DEFRA has announced.

The extension of the Protection Zone now covers Herefordshire, the unitary authority of Telford and Wrekin and the districts in Shropshire (North Shropshire, Shrewsbury and Atcham, South Shropshire and Bridgnorth) previously in the Surveillance Zone.

The extension means that no Surveillance Zone remains in England with DEFRA confirming that they will continue to expand the Protection Zone and to roll out vaccination to the free area as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan.

Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone.

Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday 28 July and are encouraged to be vigilant and to vaccinate at the earliest possible opportunity.

Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone.

Overall take up of vaccine in the Protection Zone remains high, although seasonal farming practices may be temporarily reducing some demand.

Animals can be moved out of the Protection zone (subject to meeting certain conditions) if they are:
• Vaccinated
• Naturally immune
• Moving for slaughter