June 9, 2008

Scotland tightens rules to control Bluetongue spread, vaccinate cattle 

Scotland is further tightening controls over the movement of animals from Bluetongue Restricted Zones into Scotland.

New legislation now requires animals entering Scotland from a Restricted Zone under vaccination conditions to be accompanied by a veterinary certificate to prove that they have been vaccinated.

This applies to direct moves and indirect moves via any surveillance zones or free areas.

The requirement to notify the Scottish Government about moves from a Restricted Zone into Scotland has also been extended to include indirect moves via areas free from bluetongue.

In addition to requiring veterinary certification of vaccinated animals entering Scotland, the new legislation will also allow the compulsory vaccination campaign requested by the industry stakeholder group to be undertaken later in the year.

The Scottish Government is currently securing vaccine for Scottish industry and will shortly meet stakeholders to finalise the delivery arrangements.

Vaccinated animals leaving other EU Members States are required to be accompanied by veterinary certification to prove that they have been vaccinated. The new legislation brings the conditions for moves from elsewhere within the UK into line with this. The requirement for a veterinary certificate for animals moving to a bluetongue free area will also apply to Scottish animals when the vaccination campaign starts.