MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet
Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: I am
pleased to report that official surveillance has concluded in
Gwynedd and Ynys Môn, following two instances where BTV-3
infected animals were moved into the area. These infected animals
were initially identified through the tracing of high-risk animal
movements by APHA, who have been working tirelessly to help keep
Wales free of Bluetongue virus. Follow up surveillance has found
no further evidence of infection, and I can therefore confirm
that Bluetongue restrictions have been lifted from both of the
affected farms in Wales.
I would like to thank APHA and The Pirbright Institue, along with
the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer for their work to
investigate and resolve these incidents. I would also like to
thank the farmers involved for their patience and cooperation
around the disease control and investigation measures that were
put in place.
We are fortunate that these incidents have only been near misses,
and that wider disease spread has not happened in Wales. However,
we cannot afford to be complacent with animal diseases. I must
re-emphasise the importance of responsible and safe sourcing of
livestock to keep Bluetongue out of Wales. Livestock movements
pose by far the greatest risk to Welsh livestock.
Welsh Government's policy of not allowing the movement of
susceptible animals from the restricted zone in England, except
to designated abattoirs will remain in place to underpin the
efforts of industry. To help farmers and vets, APHA have provided
an online, Bluetongue interactive map
that enables anyone to search by postcode and visualise the
extent of the restricted zone, and I encourage everyone to use it
before buying livestock.
It is crucial that farmers, vets and livestock traders work
together and exercise caution, verifying the origin and health
status of animals before movement. We have a collective
responsibility to protect the health and welfare of our herds and
flocks, and I urge all keepers to think not only of the risks
that livestock movements could pose to their own animals, but
also to their neighbours.
I would also like to extend thanks to our partners within the
agricultural and veterinary sectors for their continued
engagement with my officials on Bluetongue. Animal diseases are
challenges that are best solved in partnership, and it is our
collective ambition to keep Welsh livestock safe.
While we cannot predict what the future will hold entirely,
looking ahead to next spring we have to be prepared that the
threat of Bluetongue may grow. We will continue working closely
with APHA, the Pirbright Institute and the other UK
administrations to ensure we are prepared. We are committed
to the ongoing partnership work with our industry working group,
to protect Wales, and consider their advice around important
strategic decisions, such as the role of livestock vaccination
against Bluetongue.
For now, vigilance and reporting any suspected signs of
Bluetongue to APHA is essential in preventing the establishment
of the disease in Wales. Where there is any suspicion of the
disease, livestock keepers and vets must report it so we can act
fast and stop the virus getting a foothold. Whilst temperatures
are currently lower, midges are still active, and infected midges
can still cause new infections if they take a blood meal.
My policy goal remains to keep Bluetongue out of Wales, for the
benefit of our animals and of those who keep them. It is by
working together that I believe we have the best chance of
keeping this disease out of Wales.
