The Temporary Blue Tongue Control Zone in place in south-west Scotland will be replaced today, 10 September, with a Restricted Control Zone.
Under the change livestock such as cattle, sheep and other susceptible ruminants will still need a licence if they are being moved out of the Restricted Zone to the rest of Scotland.
Store, fattening and non-pregnant female animals will no longer need to be tested or vaccinated to move from the Restricted Zone to the disease-free area of Scotland. Some breeding animals will still require vaccination and testing before leaving the zone.
Bluetongue (BTV-3) cases in Scotland:
| Species | BTV-3 animals confirmed |
|---|---|
| Sheep (including ewes, rams and lambs) | 15 |
| Cattle (including cows, heifers and calves) | 64 |
NFU Scotland has welcomed the greater flexibility for affected farmers, particularly ahead of the important autumn store and breeding sales.
DEFRA reports that:
There have been 1015 cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) in the UK in the 2026 to 2027 bluetongue season. A case is defined as a premises on which at least one bluetongue positive animal has been confirmed. This includes:
- 883 cases in England
- 111 cases in Wales
- 21 cases in Scotland
- 0 cases in Northern Ireland
There are currently 2,217 potential cases of bluetongue under investigation in Great Britain. These are premises that have reported suspicious clinical signs and where the keeper has not yet received the test results.
The bluetongue cases map has been updated to show suspect and confirmed cases of bluetongue. It also shows cattle and sheep population density.
NFU Scotland continues to call on the Scottish Government to order vaccines, or underwrite their cost, and work with vets to prioritise and co-ordinate supply.
Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands in the Scottish Government, Jim Fairlie, said:
“We have been doing all we can to stop bluetongue getting a foothold but the evidence now is regrettably showing us that the disease is circulating in south-west Scotland, meaning that legally we have to make that area a Restricted Zone.
“What this shows is that the disease is not going away any time soon, and industry should start to prepare for the disease gaining a permanent hold within the rest of Scotland.
“I recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for farmers and the wider industry and we are continuing to work closely with them on how we deal with the disease in Scotland for the longer term.
“While we have no choice but to establish a Restricted Zone, the risk of spread reduces during the colder months. That is why, after listening to industry feedback, we remain able to continue to change restrictions on the movement of some animals out of the zone from 10 September.
“What will not change is that vaccination is the only viable long-term strategy for controlling bluetongue. As such, I would urge anyone with susceptible livestock to speak to their vet as soon as possible, both to discuss the right approach for their animals and to make sure vaccine is available when it is needed.”
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