Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency updated the national bluetongue position on 18 November 2025. Since July, Great Britain has confirmed 200 cases: 187 in England and 13 in Wales, with none in Scotland. Of the English total, 180 were BTV‑3 only, one was BTV‑8 only, and six involved both BTV‑3 and BTV‑8.
On 17 November 2025, additional detections were logged. Two BTV‑3 cases followed clinical reports in Devon and Cornwall; one BTV‑3 case was confirmed via private testing in Herefordshire; surveillance identified two BTV‑3 cases in Devon and two in Somerset; and mixed detections on the Isle of Wight confirmed BTV‑8 in two cattle and BTV‑3 in one.
Officials now assess onward spread by vectors as very low in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east as temperatures fall. The overall risk of incursion from all routes remains medium, while airborne incursion is assessed as low.
England remains a single restricted zone. Movements of susceptible species within England do not require a disease‑specific licence or pre‑movement test when the conditions of general licence EXD612(E) are met; this instrument was refreshed from 1 July 2025 to underpin permitted moves.
Wales introduced a country‑wide restricted zone at 00:01 on 10 November 2025. The temporary control zone and premises‑level restrictions have ended, and routine livestock movements between England and Wales no longer require bluetongue vaccination or mitigation measures. Controls on germinal products continue and donor animals must be tested before freezing and marketing.
Controls on germinal products in England remain in force. Freezing semen, ova or embryos requires a specific licence and testing, with keepers covering sampling, postage and laboratory costs. The declaration issued on 30 June 2025 sets out continuing movement constraints, record‑keeping duties and transit requirements within the infected area.
Cross‑border movements are governed by updated general licences issued on 7 November 2025. These cover movements from England to Scotland, movements between restricted zones and the transfer of germinal products from designated premises. Operators must meet all conditions, use the latest licence versions and carry them during transport.
Vaccination against bluetongue serotype 3 is available in Great Britain using Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3. Use is subject to licence conditions and reporting requirements. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and pre‑movement tests should not occur until seven days after vaccination to avoid interference with monitoring.
Defra’s biosecurity guidance emphasises responsible sourcing, vigilance for clinical signs, housing susceptible stock at dawn and dusk to reduce midge exposure, and strong hygiene on farm. Traceability rules continue for cattle, sheep, goats and deer, and APHA should be contacted for camelid keepers or where rules are unclear.
For immediate compliance, keepers should confirm zone status using official maps, check that planned moves match EXD612(E) conditions, timetable breeding activity around licensing and testing for germinal products, and document vaccination and movement decisions for audit and assurance.