THE whole of Scotland is to be designated a restricted zone for bluetongue after the livestock disease was detected on 40 premises.
The Scottish Government has announced that the existing restricted zone covering parts of the south-west will be extended across the country from Saturday, October 3.
The disease was first detected on Kirkambreck farm near Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, on August 8.
Across the UK, there have been 2,309 cases of bluetongue in the 2026 to 2027 season – including the 40 cases in Scotland.
In August, the Scottish Government introduced a temporary control zone (TCZ) in an area around Dumfries and Galloway to prevent the spread of the virus.
Since then, all movement of livestock such as cattle, sheep and other susceptible animals in or out of the zone has only been allowed to take place under licence.
On Thursday, the Scottish Government announced that the temporary control zone will now be extended to cover the whole of Scotland from October 3 following agreement with industry.
Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: “Extending the restricted zone to cover the whole of Scotland is a practical, sensible step that reflects the reality of the situation we now face.
“It recognises that bluetongue is not going away any time soon while removing an administrative burden on farmers at what is a critical time in the trading calendar.”
Fairlie said the decision has been agreed with industry officials, who saw no reason to delay, allowing businesses time to plan accordingly.
“While extending the zone removes the need for movement licences, it does not change our long-term approach to tackling this disease,” he said.
“Vaccination remains the single most effective way for farmers to protect their animals from the worst effects of bluetongue and I would strongly encourage anyone with susceptible livestock to speak to their vet now to discuss the right vaccination approach, and to secure supplies ahead of next year’s higher-risk season.”
The change means the movement licences currently required to move susceptible livestock, such as cattle, sheep and other ruminants, into, within and out of the south-west Scotland zone will no longer be necessary as the whole of Scotland will share the same disease status.
This is expected to make trading considerably more straightforward for farmers, hauliers and auction markets ahead of the autumn trading period.
The decision follows agreement with key industry representatives, including the National Farmers’ Union Scotland, National Sheep Association, Scottish Beef Association, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland.
A joint Scottish Government and industry communications group is also being established to promote vaccination and to share advice on the impacts of the disease with farmers and veterinary practitioners.
Michael Priestley, policy manager for the National Sheep Association, said the organisation supports the decision to simplify trading rules at this time of the year as risk of transmission decreases as temperatures fall.
Neil Shand, chief executive of the Scottish Beef Association said: “The Scottish Beef Association think that this is the most logical way forward to prevent trade complications, the overall message on bluetongue remains the same, and that is the only way to protect your cattle fully is to vaccinate.”
Bluetongue only affects animals and does not affect humans or food safety.
It is mainly spread by biting midges.
It is a notifiable disease, meaning any suspected cases are legally required to be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Symptoms include nasal discharge, redness and swelling of the lips, nose and muzzle, lameness or reluctance to stand, decreased milk production and diarrhoea in cattle.
It is also potentially fatal for affected animals.
