International trade: Customer Information Notes - GE/08/89
Bluetongue – Intra-community trade and exports to third countries of susceptible animals
1. Background
1.1. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 implements rules for Council Directive 2000/75/EC as regards the control, monitoring, surveillance and restriction on movements of certain animals of susceptible species in relation to bluetongue. This Regulation has recently been amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 384/2008 and Commission Regulation (EC) 394/2008 as indicated below. The TRACES guidance notes for the intra-Community trade in ruminants have been updated accordingly and can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/traces/pdf/bluetongue-guidance.pdf
2. Changes to Annex III of Regulations (EC) 1266/2007 which now apply are as follows:-
Commission Regulation (EC) No 384/2008 – Additional certification in relation to the pregnancy status of animals, including conditions that pregnant animals have to meet to benefit from exemptions from the exit ban provided for in Council Directive 2000/75/EC
2.1. In light of new scientific information recently gathered on bluetongue virus pathogenesis related to the possible trans-placental transmission of bluetongue, some precautionary measures should be taken to prevent the possible spread of disease by pregnant animals and or certain newborn animals.
2.2. Annex III has therefore been amended as follows:
An additional paragraph has been added in respect of pregnant animals which must satisfy at least one of the conditions set out in points 5(b), 5(c), 5(d), 6 & 7 before insemination or mating, or the condition set out in point 3 is complied with, the test being carried out not earlier than seven days before the date of movement. An additional certification requirement is also necessary.
Also, because of the possibility of viremia in newborn animals, animals have to be at least 60 days old under Point 1 of Annex III. Therefore the wording of Point 1 has been amended slightly to remove the words ‘or since birth’.
3. Changes to Chapter 4 of Regulations (EC) 1266/2007 which now apply are as follow:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 394/2008 - Conditions for exempting certain animals of susceptible species from the exit ban provided for in Council Directive 2000/75/EC
Transitional measures in relation to non-immune animals
3.1. Recent experience has shown that in some Member States, the effectiveness of the measures provided for in the above Regulation to ensure protection against attacks by vectors might be undermined by a combination of several factors. In the circumstances, until December 2008, Member States of destination are being allowed to require additional conditions in respect of non-immune animals moving onto their Territory, justified on the basis of risk assessment.
3.2. The UK has gone through the process needed to apply these conditions and has notified the Commission and other Members States accordingly. Austria, Republic of Ireland, Italy and Sweden have also gone through a similar process and require similar compliance. It is therefore advisable to check with your local AHDO if you are exporting under these conditions.
3.3. The new requirements mean that animals which comply with at least one of the conditions set out in points 1 to 4 of Section A of Annex III but which do not comply with point 5, 6 and 7 of that Section, must meet certain additional conditions as set out in the new Article 9a i.e. must be less than 90 days old, be protected from vector attack since birth and be tested within 7 days prior to export.
Additional testing requirements for naturally immune animals
3.4. Points 6 and 7 of Section A of Annex III lay down conditions under which naturally immunised animals may be exempted from the exit ban. Indications are that protection post-infection lasts for a substantial period of time and naturally infected animals are immune for long periods after infection. However, protection can vary depending on a number of issues. Therefore, confirmation of the persistence of the antibody response by means of two serological tests can provide further reassurance that such animals are immune.
3.5. Therefore, Points 6 and 7 of Section A of Annex III are amended to reflect the additional testing requirements.
4. Vaccination
4.1 Vaccination (Bovilis BTV 8, by Intervet) is now available for use in the UK. For the purposes of intra-Community trade and exports, the vaccine must be administered by a veterinarian. If the certifying Official Veterinarian did not vaccinate the animals himself/herself, then he/she must have supporting veterinary evidence (i.e. a certificate – either the original or a certified true copy signed by a veterinarian) to that effect in respect of the animals being certified. The vaccine has a marketing authorisation for cattle and sheep only. The datasheet for the vaccine is available at http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Intervet_UK_Ltd/documents/S5454.html. If animals have been moved from the restricted zone to a zone outside the restricted zone on the basis of vaccination by a non-veterinarian (permissible under the national arrangement), then these animals must not be presented for intra-Community trade/export. Spot checks will be carried out to ensure this is not happening.
Contact point for enquiries
Please contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office.
Issued by: International Animal Health Core Team
Page published: 19 May, 2008