Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease

Importing animals from bluetongue affected countries

You should get advice from your vet about the risks and the health status of animals you want to import, before you import them.

If you import animals you should:

• make sure animals comply with all of the requirements of the model health certificate to confirm they have come from a bluetongue free country or, where a vaccine exists, the animal has been correctly vaccinated against the right strains of bluetongue – this will depend on which country you are importing from
• fill in the bluetongue declaration GBHC172 if transiting through a bluetongue restricted territory, and be aware that even if the origin country is BTV free, transiting through countries with known infection carries risks of picking up infection on route
• check if current issues relating to imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products affect your import
• consider what additional guarantees the seller can provide – such as a pre-export testing to prove the animal is not infected and has immunity to BTV
• consider pre-vaccinating your flock or herd against the relevant strains of bluetongue before introducing new animals

Movement restrictions will apply to cattle or sheep imported from countries where bluetongue is known to be circulating. These restrictions will apply until the animals have been tested and confirmed free of the disease.

Animals that test positive for bluetongue may be humanely culled or returned to the country of origin. Any animals that travelled in the same vehicle and are at risk of becoming infected may also be humanely culled. No compensation will be paid for the culled animals. This only applies to imported animals. For UK born and bred animals that are culled to control the spread of disease, compensation will be paid at market value.

All other animals on the premises that are at risk of becoming infected will be placed under movement restrictions. These restrictions will apply until it is confirmed that the disease has not spread. These restrictions may last several weeks.