Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency report 282 bluetongue cases in Great Britain in the 2025 season (since July 2025): 261 in England and 21 in Wales, with no confirmed cases in Scotland. The page, last updated on 30 January 2026, also links to the public case map. Northern Ireland continues to report four confirmed BTV‑3 cases managed under DAERA arrangements. (gov.uk)
January case confirmations have included congenital and reproductive impacts. On 29 January a five‑day‑old calf with a brain malformation tested positive; on 27 January two calves in West Sussex with severe congenital signs were confirmed, with further positives arising from non‑negative private tests in East Sussex, Greater London and Shropshire. Earlier in the month, cases linked to abortions, milk drop and oral lesions were confirmed in Cheshire, Kent, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Devon and Cornwall. (gov.uk)
With winter temperatures lowering, Defra assesses the risk of onward spread by vector midges in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east as negligible. The overall risk of incursion from all routes remains at medium, and the risk of airborne incursion is now negligible. Infections can still occur from previously infected midges or infected germinal products. (gov.uk)
Control measures remain national in scope. All of England is a bluetongue restricted zone under a declaration effective from 1 July 2025, while an all‑Wales restricted zone has applied since 10 November 2025. Livestock can move between England and Wales without bluetongue vaccination or specific mitigation; premises‑level restrictions in Wales have ended, but controls on germinal products and testing continue. (gov.wales)
In England, movements wholly within the restricted zone do not require a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing. Keepers must instead meet the conditions of general licence EXD612(E) for movements to markets, shows or slaughter. Designated slaughterhouses are not required under current arrangements, and APHA may apply premises‑specific restrictions where disease is suspected. (gov.uk)
Movements out of the English restricted zone, or between restricted zones, must use the relevant general licence. Current instruments include EXD662(EW) for animals to Scotland, EXD656(EW) and EXD658(EW) for germinal products, and EXD671(EW) for movements between restricted zones. Operators should download the latest version, carry it during transit and check stock for clinical signs before loading. (gov.uk)
Freezing semen, ova or embryos anywhere in England requires a specific licence or use of a designated premises, with post‑collection testing of donor animals by PCR at 6 to 28 days or ELISA at 28 to 60 days. For ongoing collections, PCR must be repeated every 28 days and product cannot be used until negative results are received. Keepers are responsible for sampling and laboratory costs, should quarantine and label product to avoid cross‑contamination, and should note that cross‑contamination may lead to destruction of stored material. (gov.uk)
The legal instrument underpinning these measures prohibits freezing germinal products without authorisation and requires auditable records of collection, storage, use and disposal; it also sets conditions for transit through the infected area. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Three BTV‑3 vaccines - Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3 - are available for use in Great Britain in line with national licensing; Northern Ireland operates a separate licensing route. Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate ask vets and keepers to record vaccination activity and report adverse events. Trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals, and pre‑movement testing should not take place within seven days of vaccination to avoid interference with surveillance. (gov.uk)
For producers planning breeding or germinal product work through late winter, the operational focus is compliance. Plan collection schedules around the 6–28/28–60 day testing windows, maintain up‑to‑date movement and storage records, remain vigilant for abortions, milk drop and congenital signs, and use Defra’s case map to monitor nearby activity. For Northern Ireland, follow DAERA’s separate Temporary Control Zone arrangements. (gov.uk)
The statutory basis remains the Bluetongue Regulations 2008 and the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) (England) Order 2002, implemented via Defra’s 1 July 2025 declaration and supported by the government’s disease control framework. Keepers should contact APHA for licence queries or camelid advice and follow published biosecurity guidance. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)