Bluetongue: Protection Zones to be extended

Defra has confirmed that from Monday 12th May, the Bluetongue Protection Zones will be extended as a result of the delivery of further doses of the vaccine. This is due to the fact that vaccination may only take place within the Protection Zone. This will see the extension of the zones to include all of Hampshire and West Sussex. Lincolnshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire will also be incorporated within the extension of the Protection Zone. Livestock keepers within these new areas of the Protection Zone should be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday 12th May. An epidemiology report has also been published by Defra which seems to indicate that Bluetongue has not spread beyond the current Protection Zones. For further information, please see Defra's website.