INFORMATION BULLETIN
Date: 22 February 2008
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Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
Bluetongue Update: Surveillance zone extended to Cornwall/Defra announces date for end of vector-free period
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) today announced the extension of the Bluetongue Surveillance Zone into Cornwall.
This decision has been taken at the request of industry and in consultation with industry representatives. Inclusion in the Surveillance Zone will allow Cornish farmers to continue to trade as normal within the South West and the rest of the Surveillance Zone.
Defra has also confirmed today that the current Vector Free Period will end at midnight on 15 March 2008. This decision is based on an assessment of meteorological data and historic vector (midge) trapping, which provides evidence that the midge vectors for bluetongue will re-emerge at around this time.
From 15 March no animals will be permitted to move out of the Restricted Zone (under vector free period movement rules) and movement restrictions will return to those which were in place before the Vector Free Period was declared on 20 December 2007. Defra has announced this in advance to minimise disruption to industry and allow livestock keepers to make the necessary arrangements to prepare to move their animals.
Notes to editors
The current movement restrictions and maps can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/bluetongue/
In the Vector Free Period, Defra permitted some additional movements of livestock as the risk of disease transmission was lower. Livestock keepers were able to move their animals out of the Restricted Zone subject to a pre-movement test.
When the Vector Free Period ends, such movements will no longer be permitted. Livestock will be able to move within the Restricted Zone but not out of it.
Announcing the end of the vector-free period in advance will enable livestock keepers to carry out any pre-movement testing to move their animals before the window of opportunity closes. If livestock keepers wish to move their animals before 15 March, they should ensure they leave enough time to carry out pre-movement testing of their animals, receive negative results, and move the animals before 23:59 on15 March.
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Page published: 22 February 2008 14:45