Extension of Bluetongue Restricted Zones
UK - The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has made changes to the Bluetongue Protection and Surveillance Zones, following confirmation of disease on premises within the current zones.
11 February 2008
1 minute read
Two news cases that have been found inside the Protection Zone require the zones to be extended further into Surrey and Cambridgeshire, in line with the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy and EU legislation.
A single case found in the Surveillance Zone has required the establishment of a separate Protection Zone in North and West London and into Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
The infected animals were found as a result of pre-movement testing currently required to move animals out of zones in the vector-free period.
Defra said that all evidence suggests that these animals were infected before the vector-free period started.
Further similar cases may be expected in the coming weeks, according to Defra.
