Animals can be moved from restricted zones in England to a bluetongue-approved ‘red market’ in Wales from today (Monday, July 14).
The movement applies to animals intended for direct onward movement to a designated slaughterhouse in Wales or within the restricted zone.
This comes after Deputy First Minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, met with representatives of the livestock industry to discuss future bluetongue policy on July 8.
The meeting focused on the operation of markets and the associated benefits and potential risks for the industry, leading to the introduction of bluetongue-approved red markets.
The aim of the ‘red markets’ is to give farmers and auctioneers greater flexibility while continuing to control the disease.
The deputy first minister said: “My priority remains protecting Welsh livestock as well as the farmers and communities that depend on them by keeping bluetongue out of Wales.
“I have been listening and closely monitoring the situation. Following constructive discussions with industry representatives this week I am pleased to confirm that the evidence now supports easing some of the current restrictions.”
These new restrictions will allow unvaccinated and animals enter the market as long as they are heading straight to an approved slaughterhouse.
Animals destined for the slaughterhouse will no longer require pre-movement testing.
Chief veterinary officer for Wales, Richard Irvine said that vaccination “remains the best method of protecting livestock and reducing the potentially devastating impacts of bluetongue”.
He added: “Now is the time to vaccinate, so I encourage all livestock keepers to discuss Bluetongue with their vet.
“We are also continuing to actively explore vaccine efficacy, including when used in sheep and for future sales.”
The Welsh Government has allowed cattle vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheimâs Bultavo-3 vaccine to move under licence without a pre-movement test since June 20.
The government is reminding farmers that bluetongue is a notifiable disease, so any suspect cases must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
