Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency report 277 bluetongue cases in Great Britain in the 2025 season (since July 2025), current to Monday 26 January 2026. England accounts for 256 cases-248 BTV‑3 only, one BTV‑8 only and seven mixed BTV‑3/BTV‑8-while Wales has 21 BTV‑3 cases and Scotland has none. DAERA confirms four BTV‑3 cases in Northern Ireland, and an interactive case map lists PCR‑positive premises across Great Britain. (gov.uk)
Defra’s 26 January update summarises five BTV‑3 confirmations between 16 and 22 January in Kent, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire. Individual detections over December and January have followed reports of abortions, lameness and other clinical signs, alongside positives from private testing such as pre‑collection screening for semen. (gov.uk)
Officials assess the risk of onward spread by midges to be negligible in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east given low temperatures. Infection remains possible from already‑infected midges and from infected germinal products. The overall risk of bluetongue incursion from all routes remains at medium, while the risk of airborne incursion is judged negligible. (gov.uk)
England remains under a country‑wide restricted zone. Movement within England does not require a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing, but movement rules still apply. The extended restricted zone and infected area declaration of 1 July 2025 sets the legal basis, including conditions on within‑zone movements and controls on germinal products. (gov.uk)
Wales has been under a country‑wide restricted zone since 00:01 on 10 November 2025. The previous temporary control zone and premises‑level restrictions were lifted at that point. Livestock can move between England and Wales without the earlier vaccination or mitigation requirements, though germinal products retain testing obligations and movements must follow the relevant general licences. (gov.wales)
Movements from the English restricted zone to Scotland or Wales, and moves between restricted zones, are covered by published general licences. Users must meet licence conditions, carry the latest version when moving, and ensure stock show no disease signs before loading. (gov.uk)
Freezing semen, ova or embryos in England requires either a specific licence or use of a designated premises, and donor animals must undergo post‑collection testing. Options are PCR sampling 6–28 days after collection or ELISA 28–60 days after collection, with ELISA unsuitable for vaccinated animals. For extended collection periods, a negative PCR is required every 28 days and product cannot be used until negative results are received. Keepers cover sampling, postage and laboratory costs. These measures are underpinned by the July 2025 declaration. (gov.uk)
Three BTV‑3 vaccines-Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3-are authorised in Great Britain. Use must follow national licensing or declaration requirements, trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and pre‑movement testing should be avoided within seven days of vaccination to prevent interference with surveillance. (gov.uk)
Bluetongue remains a notifiable disease. In the England restricted zone, APHA may authorise a private veterinary surgeon to submit samples to the Pirbright Institute, with free testing for up to three affected animals in defined circumstances; keepers remain responsible for sampling and postage. If BTV‑3 is confirmed, premises and animals are not automatically restricted, whereas other serotypes may trigger additional measures. (gov.uk)
Routine identification and movement recording rules continue for cattle, sheep, goats and deer, with APHA providing advice for camelids. Traders should follow the published rules for imports, exports and EU trade, and note Northern Ireland’s separate position, including a Temporary Control Zone and four confirmed BTV‑3 cases. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: for breeding operations, the practical pinch‑points remain donor testing windows and licence lead times. Centres collecting semen or embryos should plan PCR schedules against the 6–28‑day and 28–60‑day testing frameworks and hold product until negative results are returned. Farm businesses moving stock across borders should download the latest general licence, confirm destination requirements in Scotland or Wales, and keep records aligned to standard identification and movement obligations. (gov.uk)