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 has written to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha), questioning their response to bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3).

See also: New bluetongue map shows where virus is most active

Confirmed cases continue to rise, with figures on 8 September showing infection on 973 premises – 841 in England, 111 in Wales and 21 in Scotland – and another 2,288 premises under investigation.

The intervention follows reports from farmers and vets of difficulties obtaining vaccine and lengthy waits for test results.

Farmers have told Farmers Weekly they waited five weeks for results.

Preparedness under scrutiny

The committee stressed that BTV-3 had been spreading across continental Europe since 2023, meaning the threat to UK livestock was understood well before the current outbreak.

Efra committee chairman Alistair Carmichael MP said farmers had endured a “summer of heartbreak and anxiety”, with the disease adding to pressures from drought, heatwaves and wildfires.

“There is widespread sentiment that our state agencies have been asleep at the wheel, and that more could and should have been done before and during this outbreak,” he said.

MPs have asked Apha and the VMD what contingency planning was undertaken, how farmers, vets and livestock markets were warned about BTV-3, and whether communications changed as the disease spread.

Vaccine shortages

The committee is also seeking an assessment of vaccine availability as demand increased, including where shortages occurred and what discussions government and the VMD held with manufacturers.

“While livestock keepers have been encouraged to vaccinate to protect their animals and businesses, some have reported delays in obtaining doses when required,” the letter said.

MPs want to know what action is being taken to improve supplies and prevent similar problems during future outbreaks.

Testing delays examined

Apha has also been asked to provide details of its testing capacity before and during the outbreak, average turnaround times and the factors behind delays.

The committee also questioned whether testing could be expanded beyond Apha and the Pirbright Institute to other laboratories, and how delays affect the accuracy of the government’s bluetongue outbreak map.

Previous warnings

Mr Carmichael highlighted a June 2025 National Audit Office report, which warned public bodies were insufficiently prepared for a major animal disease outbreak.

“We now want to understand what was done in response to that report, what plans were in place, why vaccine and testing capacity have been so limited, and what lessons have been learned along the way.”

The committee said the outbreak raised wider questions over the UK’s resilience to recurring animal disease threats and wants assurances that similar problems will not be repeated.