A new Bluetongue Movements Checker has been created to help farmers navigate the bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) restrictions that are impacting livestock movement between England, Scotland and Wales.
The Bluetongue Movements Checker tool, developed by Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is an interactive and online system which allows farmers to find out the correct advice and licensing requirements for moving animals within GB, depending on the specific situation, location and nature of the movement.
Dr. Mandy Nevel, head of animal health and welfare for AHDB and a member of RH&W, said: “The Devolved Governments in Scotland and Wales will still require pre-movement testing of animals coming from the England Restricted Zone, in most cases.
“We know the changing policy landscape for bluetongue is leading to questions for farmers about what they need to do to be able to move livestock, especially across borders within GB.”
The all-England Restriction Zone is being enforced from July 1, 2025 onwards.
Experts from RH&W, the AHDB, and Welsh and Scottish governments have jointly contributed to the movement checker tool to help farmers find correct and up-to-date information about moving livestock, whatever the situation.
It provides specific answers for moves to other farm premises, shows, markets or abattoirs at all times, taking into account the Devolved Government policies on bluetongue across England, Wales and Scotland.
Commenting on using the Bluetongue Movements Checker tool, Clare Millington, who farms in Shropshire, sayid: “For many years we have travelled across the border to sell our breeding ewes at Welshpool as an essential part of our business strategy.
“This…Bluetongue Movement Checker tool will enable us to keep up-to-date on where we can and cannot sell sheep, according to the latest legislation.
“From using the tool, it’s clear we are able to take our ewes to Welshpool before July 1, but after that, unless we have a specific bluetongue movement licence and a valid pre-movement test, we will no longer be able to sell our sheep into Wales,” Millington said.
She added: “It’s really easy to use and helpful to find out all the information I need about a particular livestock movement by visiting one web page and running through the simple questions to ascertain what I am allowed to do, rather than checking various different sources.”
Millington said that the tool “is easy to access and provides clear and instant advice on the most up-to-date regulations”.
