NFU Cymru writes to Deputy First Minister on Bluetongue control measures

20 June 2025

Cow looking at camera

Since Welsh Government’s written statement on the Bluetongue Virus (BTV) on 12 June, NFU Cymru has been in constant dialogue with the OCVO (Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer) to relay members’ concerns and seek clarity on a number of issues.

The written statement, which declared various control measures for animals moving from a RZ (Restricted Zone) to Wales to live, has raised a number of questions on the feasibility of this decision, and the real threat these measures pose on the livestock industry in Wales.

Following a meeting of NFU Cymru’s dairy and livestock boards, as well as a meeting with the CVO (Chief Veterinary Officer) Richard Irvine, NFU Cymru and the NFU have written a joint letter to Defra and Welsh Government ministers highlighting the concern felt by members on both sides of the England and Wales border.

Concerns

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “We have been inundated with calls from our members concerned about the costs and practicality associated with moving livestock from England to Wales from 1 July. We question whether an impact assessment on the economic feasibility of these Bluetongue control measures has been properly considered.  

“Movements of livestock between England and Wales are essential for farm management and trade purposes, however the costs of these current controls are ones that farming businesses and the supply chain, including markets, cannot sustain. We are asking our ministers to consider financial assistance for impacted livestock keepers, to remove or minimise the prohibitive cost of pre-movement testing.

“We need a sustainable solution which negates the need for excessive testing and licencing. Our governments must balance the impact of the disease against the potential huge costs of the industry delivering and complying with the controls.”

The latest information from Welsh Government – 20 June


Welsh Government have now announced that from 20 June, cattle fully vaccinated with Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bultavo-3 vaccine will be allowed to move under licence from a RZ (Restricted Zone) to Wales without a pre-movement test.

This announcement does not cover the movement of sheep – these must all be pre-movement tested and require a licence to move into Wales to live from the RZ in England. Welsh Government has stated that this is because ‘no vaccine products currently meet the requirements for protecting sheep from BTV-3 to allow them to move out of the RZ.’

Movements to and from shows in the RZ

Arrangements will be put in place to allow livestock to move to and from shows and sales in the RZ, subject to meeting licencing conditions. View these conditions on GOV.Wales | Bluetongue Virus (BTV).

These policies will continue to apply after 1 July when the England-wide RZ comes into effect.

Movements to slaughter

Moves direct to slaughter can continue from 20th June and these livestock moves do not require a pre-movement test. There will be an additional requirement from 1 July when receiving abattoirs in Wales must be designated and meet appropriate licencing conditions to handle Bluetongue-susceptible animals.  

Virus spread

In 2024 the virus was largely restricted to the east of England with a generally low level of clinical signs. However, as temperatures rise and we move into the new vector season the virus is known to have overwintered here and to be present in parts of the west of England, the potential impacts may now be greater which is why the three GB CVOs are encouraging vets and farmers to discuss vaccination.

NFU Cymru believes the best method for farmers to protect their herds and flocks from infection is via vaccination. We support a campaign to promote vaccine use and facilitate the maximum number of doses being available on Welsh farms as quickly as possible. NFU Cymru would urge all farmers to speak to their vets to discuss a vaccination plan for their farm.

Availability

Three vaccines are permitted for use in Wales, England and Scotland and the pharmaceutical companies manufacturing the three products – Bultavo-3, Bluevac-3 and Syvazul BTV 3 – are working to ensure vaccine supply is available to meet demand.

The three vaccines are available on prescription from your private farm vet and records of use on an individual animal ID basis should be kept and submitted online. You can read more about the vaccines and the record keeping requirements on the Welsh Government website.

Our letter to the Deputy First Minister

Dear Minister,

NFU Cymru and the NFU are united that the control of bluetongue among ruminants across GB must be managed practically and cost effectively. However, the decision to introduce pre-movement testing for livestock, leaving the English bluetongue restricted zone to cross the border to Wales from 1st July has been received with concern by livestock keepers on both sides of the border. We would question whether there has been a full impact assessment of the economic feasibility of the decision, as initial assessment by our members suggest that the costs are prohibitive.

While we understand that movement restrictions have slowed the progression of disease and have allowed time for animal keepers to consider vaccination, the financial and resource burden resulting from the imposition of movement restrictions, licencing and pre-movement testing on the livestock sector appears disproportionate to the impact we have seen from the disease so far.

We have heard from our members their concern at the practical implications of this policy decision. They question whether there is the capacity within IAH Pirbright and private laboratories to test and report promptly on the tens of thousands of blood tests this policy may require, and this is a concern we share.

The cost of laboratory testing, additional gathering of animals and private vet time to carry out testing is a cost that the sector cannot sustain. Movements will be severely curtailed. This will impact thousands of farming businesses, which will need to move animals for welfare, management and trade purposes and the supporting supply chain, including markets.

We urge Defra, the Welsh and Scottish Governments to converge financial assistance to livestock keepers in order to remove or minimise the prohibitive cost of pre-movement testing. Meanwhile we wish to work with you to explore how free testing could be delivered for a time limited period or a maximum period based on laboratory capacity.

We must ensure that a sustainable solution is found without delay, and which negates the need for excessive testing and licencing. Our Governments must balance the impact of the disease against the potential huge costs of the industry delivering and complying with the controls. We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss a more pragmatic way forward.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Bradshaw
NFU President

Aled Jones
NFU Cymru President

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