Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency have updated the bluetongue position. As of 20 March 2026, Great Britain has recorded 325 cases since 1 July 2025: England 303 (predominantly BTV-3, with three BTV-8 only and seven mixed BTV-3/BTV-8), Wales 22 BTV-3, and none in Scotland. Northern Ireland has five confirmed BTV-3 cases. (gov.uk)
The most recent confirmations show congenital and neurological presentations in calves and fertility issues in cows. On 20 March, two calves in Hampshire exhibited neurological signs, two cows in Cumbria tested positive after reduced fertility and the birth of a blind calf, and a weak calf in Staffordshire failed to adapt. On 19 March a malformed blind calf in Kent tested positive for BTV-3; the same day a calf in Cornwall was confirmed with BTV-8. Earlier in March, sporadic cases were identified in Devon, Cheshire, Cornwall, Oxfordshire and Staffordshire following similar clinical concerns. (gov.uk)
With temperatures still low, APHA assesses onward spread by biting midges in England as negligible. The overall risk of bluetongue incursion to England from all routes is rated medium, while the risk of airborne incursion is now negligible. Infection through germinal products remains a live pathway. (gov.uk)
England remains a country-wide restricted zone, with an Infected Area covering the same geography. Moves within England do not require a disease-specific licence or pre-movement testing, provided the conditions of general licence EXD612(E) are met. These measures have applied since 1 July 2025 under Defra’s formal declaration. (gov.uk)
Controls are tighter for germinal products. Freezing semen, ova or embryos in England requires a specific licence or use of a premises designated by APHA, and donor animals must be tested after collection. Defra specifies two post-collection windows: PCR at 6 to 28 days, or ELISA at 28 to 60 days, with keepers meeting sampling and laboratory costs and maintaining auditable records. (gov.uk)
In Wales, an all-Wales restricted zone has applied since 00:01 on 10 November 2025. Temporary control zones and premises-level restrictions ended at the same time, and livestock may move freely between the English and Welsh restricted zones without vaccination or extra mitigation. Donor testing for germinal product continues to be required before freezing and marketing. (gov.wales)
In Northern Ireland, DAERA advises that cross-border movements for breeding and production with Ireland resumed at 09:00 on 6 March 2026 and the County Down temporary control zone was lifted. Movements of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland remain suspended, and Northern Ireland’s bluetongue-free status continues to be suspended. (daera-ni.gov.uk)
Movements from the English restricted zone to Scotland or Wales must follow the appropriate general licence. Defra’s collection lists current licences, including EXD656(EW), EXD657(E), EXD658(EW), EXD662(EW) and EXD671(EW). Keepers should carry the licence during transport, use the latest version, and check stock for clinical signs before loading. (gov.uk)
Vaccination remains available for BTV-3. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate lists three authorised vaccines-Bluevac-3, BULTAVO 3 and Syvazul. Use must be reported, with records kept for five years; in Great Britain vaccinations should be reported within 48 hours, while in Northern Ireland they must be reported to DAERA within five working days. A veterinary prescription is required, though keepers may administer. (gov.uk)
Operationally, farm businesses should align spring movements and breeding work with current licence conditions, factor in post-collection testing turnaround before using germinal product, quarantine product pending negative results, and document congenital or neurological signs in newborn stock. Suspected cases must be reported to APHA promptly using the official channels. (gov.uk)