Defra has today announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 19 May, following the delivery of additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine.

Vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone; therefore, in accordance with the Bluetongue vaccination plan, the Protection Zone will be extended to cover all of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire and Somerset. The Surveillance Zone is unaffected.

The additional 3 million doses of vaccine are available for use in the existing Protection Zone from today. Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the Protection Zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from Monday. They are encouraged to order vaccine so that they can protect their livestock at the earliest opportunity. The vaccine is available in 20ml and 50ml bottles.

Protection Zone restrictions will apply to those keepers coming into the extended Zone. Animals can only be moved out of the Protection Zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or moving for slaughter, subject to meeting certain conditions. Please refer to the Defra website for further guidance.