BLUETONGUE virus has once again been detected in cattle imported to England from France.

The disease was found by the Animal and Plant Health Agency's routine post-import testing of two animals which were brought to North Yorkshire from an assembly centre in Central France, where bluetongue continues to spread.

Action has been taken to ensure the risk of spread of the disease is reduced, with movement restrictions at the affected premises, while the two cattle were immediately isolated and have since been humanely culled. Following this interception of the infected animals, the UK remains officially bluetongue-free, with the risk of the disease remaining low and exports unaffected.

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for the UK, Graeme Cooke, said: “Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but the disease impacts farming, causing reduced milk yield in cows and infertility in sheep.

“This detection is an example of our robust disease surveillance procedures in action but must highlight to farmers the risks which come with bringing animals from disease-affected areas into their herds. Regulations and systems are in place for the benefit of our UK livestock industry.

“It is also a clear reminder for farmers that the disease remains a threat, despite coming towards the end of the season when midges are active," said Mr Cooke. “Farmers must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA. Farmers should work with their importer to make sure effective vaccination needs are complied with, source animals responsibly and consider the health status of their own herd if they are not protected

“Movement restrictions will remain in place on the premises for at least several weeks until testing rules out spread via local midges,” he added.

APHA stressed that farmers have the option to send animals that arrive without fully compliant paperwork back to France, or cull them as a measure to reduce the risk of disease spreading to susceptible UK livestock. The UK Government has been working with a number of groups to raise awareness of the threat of bluetongue through the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue. The most recent case of the disease in the UK came in 2007, while the UK has been officially free from the disease since July 2011.

NFU Scotland’s Animal Health and Welfare policy manager, Penny Middleton said: “For the second year in a row, cattle imported from France to the UK have tested positive for bluetongue.

“The discovery of bluetongue in imported cattle in Yorkshire is a real concern for Scottish livestock keepers and underlines the continued need for vigilance, responsible sourcing and appropriate support and resources being directed to our veterinary surveillance system to allow them to monitor and stamp out the disease as soon as possible.

“While the bluetongue virus has been spreading in French livestock for some time, it was always unlikely that midge borne infection would reach Scotland this year and that importation continues to present the greatest risk," said Ms Middleton. "Surveillance systems south of the Border have proven robust but the reality is that infected animals have arrived in Yorkshire.

“We urge all Scottish livestock keepers to source stock responsibly, avoiding bluetongue areas if possible and remind themselves of both the symptoms and veterinary advice on the disease. Bluetongue is notifiable so any suspected cases must be reported immediately to the local Animal Plant Health Office.”