The latest resource to be added to the Battle Bluetongue toolkit, the Bluetongue Movements Checker, has been created to help farmers navigate the complex and changing bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) restrictions that are impacting livestock movement between England, Scotland and Wales.
The Bluetongue Movements Checker tool from Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) and AHDB is an interactive and online system which allows farmers to find out the correct advice and licensing requirements for moving animals within GB, depending on the specific situation, location and nature of the movement.
Dr Mandy Nevel, head of animal health and welfare for AHDB and a member of RH&W says: “The Devolved Governments in Scotland and Wales will still require pre-movement testing of animals coming from the England Restricted Zone, in most cases.
“We know the changing policy landscape for bluetongue is leading to questions for farmers about what they need to do to be able to move livestock, especially across borders within GB.”
The all-England Restriction Zone is being enforced from 1 July 2025 onwards.
Experts from RH&W, AHDB, Welsh and Scottish governments have jointly contributed to enable this movement checker tool to be robust so farmers can find correct and up to date information about moving livestock, whatever the situation.
It provides specific answers for moves to other farm premises, shows, markets or abattoirs at all times, taking into account the devolved Government policies on Bluetongue across England, Wales and Scotland.
Commenting on using the Bluetongue Movements Checker tool, Clare Millington, who farms in Shropshire says: “For many years we have travelled across the border to sell our breeding ewes at Welshpool as an essential part of our business strategy.
“This freely available Bluetongue Movement Checker tool will enable us to keep up to date on where we can and cannot sell sheep, according to the latest legislation.
“From using the tool, it’s clear we are able to take our ewes to Welshpool before the 1st July, but after that, unless we have a specific bluetongue movement licence and a valid pre-movement test, we will no longer be able to sell our sheep into Wales.
“It’s really easy to use and helpful to find out all the information I need about a particular livestock movement by visiting one web page and running through the simple questions to ascertain what I am allowed to do, rather than checking various different sources.
“I’m really pleased that Ruminant Health and Welfare have been so proactive in creating this tool that is easy to access and provides clear and instant advice on the most up to date regulations to make our life a little simpler, something that is much needed at this time,” adds Ms Millington.
Find the Bluetongue Movements Checker tool via the below link: https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus-hub/bluetongue-movements-checker/
The next webinar in this series takes place on 2 July and offers vets and farmers the chance to hear from experts working in industry and livestock markets about how cross border restrictions in the UK will be managed. A technical update on BTV-3 will also be provided.
Book your place on the webinar here https://ahdb.org.uk/events/bluetongue-virus-markets-and-trade
Next Battle Bluetongue webinar
The next webinar in this series takes place on 2 July and offers vets and farmers the chance to hear from experts working in industry and livestock markets about how cross border restrictions in the UK will be managed.
A technical update on BTV-3 will also be provided.
