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Extension of Bluetongue Protection Zone to allow further vaccination

   

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 266/08
Date: 8 August 2008

Defra has today announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 11 August. 

The Protection Zone will be extended to cover the Counties of Durham and Tyne and Wear (Metropolitan Boroughs of Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland) and the Unitary Authorities of Hartlepool, Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

This extension has been agreed following a review of the vaccine available in the supply chain.
Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone.  We will continue to expand the Protection Zone and to roll out vaccination to the free area as vaccine is delivered, in line with the vaccination roll-out plan we published in April.

Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday.  However, they are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity. 

Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Please refer to the Defra website for further guidance.

Overall take up of vaccine in the Protection Zone remains high, although seasonal farming practices may be temporarily dampening some demand.  All livestock farmers are strongly encouraged to be vigilant and to vaccinate at the earliest possible opportunity.

Notes to editors

  1. The Protection Zone will be expanded at 00:01 on Monday 11 August.
  2. Further information, including maps of the Bluetongue Zones and guidance on movement restrictions, can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/bluetongue
  3. Further information is available to farmers via the Defra helpline (0845 9335577) and website: www.defra.gov.uk

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Page published: 7 August 2008