GB is declared BTV free

Purpose

To make livestock keepers and importers aware of the changes to the BTV8 zone in GB. These changes will take effect from 5th July 2011.

Background

GB has remained part of a Protection Zone for BTV8 since our first case of disease in 2007. We have had no cases of BTV 8 since 2008 and our last national surveillance exercise which was carried out in November 2010 showed that we are free from circulating disease. On 12th June 2010 the European Commission agreed that GB could implement a Lower Risk Zone (LRZ) which has acted as a first step toward freedom from disease.

BTV cases have decreased significantly across Europe in 2009 and 2010. The mass vaccination campaigns among Member States appear to have been successful in controlling the spread of disease and we consider that the threat of disease infection from the continent is now very low.

Having now completed 2 years of surveillance to demonstrate absence of disease circulation, GB is in a position to declare ourselves free from BTV8 and remove the zones that have been in place.

EU law does not permit vaccination outside of a protection zone, and therefore BTV8 vaccination will no longer be allowed once GB is declared BTV free.

Action
The change to BTV free status will occur on 5th July 2011.

From this date, bluetongue susceptible species being exported from GB will no longer need to be vaccinated against BTV8 or meet any of the other 'Annex III conditions. Vaccination of animals in GB after 5th July will not be permitted.

Since June 2010, bluetongue susceptible species being imported into GB have had to meet full 'Annex III conditions'. This requirement will continue when GB changes to BTV free status. We expect the conditions most likely to be used for moves into GB would be vaccination plus 60 day wait; vaccination plus a test 14 days after onset of immunity; or a booster vaccination within time period of immunity.

Post import testing will continue on a risk-based regime, as for other diseases, whereby imports will be tested depending on the risk of each susceptible consignment.

In cases where zoos are expecting imports of BT susceptible exotic animals there is currently the option to agree bilaterally the conditions under which the animals can be imported as in many cases Annex III requirements cannot be met. We would advise that importers plan ahead and inform Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory Agencies (AHVLA) special service centre for imports in Chelmsford well in advance.

Contact point for enquiries
SSCI Chelmsford: 01245 454860
Fax: 01245 351162
E-mail: [email protected]

Contact point for Scotland : John Peerless (0300 244 9243, fax: 0300 244 9797)