The Executive has agreed that the suspension of imports of breeding cattle and sheep from Bluetongue restricted zones will continue until the amendment to the European Bluetongue Regulation comes into effect.

An amendment to the European Bluetongue Regulation (1266/2007) has been made to strengthen movement controls on pregnant animals from Bluetongue restricted zones. When this change comes into effect the existing import suspensions will be withdrawn.

In addition, the lower risk vector-free period ends in England on 15 March. Midge activity will increase as the weather grows warmer and the risk of transmission of Bluetongue virus around Britain will increase.

In response to this the Department is tightening the import conditions applying to those breeding and production animals which can still be imported.

If susceptible animals are imported from anywhere in Britain or from other Member States (with the exception of the South of Ireland), the following additional conditions will apply:

· The animals must be held in isolation after importation until post-import testing is completed and restrictions are lifted. Animals must be kept in housing that has a separate air space and that is not shared with any other susceptible livestock; and

· The isolation facility must be cleansed and disinfected prior to the arrival of the imported animals, and must also be pre-sprayed with a recommended insecticide.

In addition, farmers importing animals are advised to reduce the risk to their own livestock by taking the following actions:

· Treat imported animals with an approved insecticide when they arrive. This treatment should be repeated as required by the manufacturer's recommendations, until restrictions are lifted.

· Consider getting isolation facility checked by a veterinarian prior to importing animals to ensure it can meet the conditions.

· Treat the inside of livestock vehicles that have transported the imported animals with insecticide.

It is also advised that vehicles transporting horses should be treated with insecticide to reduce the risk of importing midges.