Bluetongue threat "higher than ever" (From Western Telegraph)

Bluetongue threat "higher than ever"

2:05pm Wednesday 17th September 2008 in News

The threat of bluetongue breaking out in Wales for the first times is higher than ever before, after six cattle near the Welsh border tested positive for the disease.

Defra revealed last week that six cattle imported from the continent to Bromyard, near Worcester, about 25 miles from the Welsh border, had tested positive for bluetongue.

Farmers’ Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan said: “This is a deeply concerning development.”

Wales Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christianne Glossop has urged farmers to think carefully about where they source their livestock.

She said: “We are also aware of a number of groups of animals which have been imported directly into Wales from areas of mainland Europe where Bluetongue is circulating. All such animals are currently being tested. While these imports are legal now that the whole of Wales is in a protection zone I would ask farmers to think carefully about such movements and the risks they could pose.

Following the case in Worcester, the total number of UK holdings with confirmed outbreaks is now 145.