“We encourage all farmers and keepers to discuss the use of BTV‑3 vaccines with their private vet.” That was the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss earlier this year when England moved to an all‑country restricted zone - advice that still applies across the North.

Defra’s live bulletin, updated on 11 November, confirms 172 bluetongue cases since July: 159 in England and 13 in Wales, with none in Scotland. Officials also rate onward spread by biting midges as very low in the North East and other regions, while the risk of fresh incursion remains medium and the airborne route low.

For Northern readers, the week to 10 November brought fresh positives in Cheshire and Derbyshire, with an additional case logged in Cumbria on 3 November. Defra summarised 18 new English cases between 3 and 10 November across Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Cornwall, Devon, Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight - a reminder that pre‑movement testing can still pick up infection.

England remains in a country‑wide restricted zone. Farmers can move stock within England without a bluetongue‑specific licence or pre‑movement testing, but germinal products are treated differently: freezing semen, ova or embryos requires a specific licence and donor testing, with keepers covering sampling and laboratory costs under the 1 July declaration.

Wales switched to an all‑Wales restricted zone at 00:01 on 10 November. The Welsh Government has lifted the temporary control zone and premises‑level restrictions, and movements between England and Wales no longer require bluetongue vaccination or pre‑movement testing - provided keepers meet the conditions of the general licence. Controls on germinal products continue.

Vaccination remains the best tool to reduce impact. NFU guidance stresses the current BTV‑3 jabs are suppressive rather than preventative but can blunt clinical disease. “The vaccines appear to reduce mortality and the severity of clinical signs,” said NFU President Tom Bradshaw, urging vet‑led vaccination plans where appropriate.

What to do now in the North: speak to your vet about BTV‑3 vaccination and any planned semen or embryo work; check Defra’s case map before marketing stock; and read the licensing conditions early if moving animals to Scotland or Wales. Suspect signs must be reported to APHA on 03000 200 301 in England, or 0300 303 8268 in Wales.

As winter sets in, the immediate transmission risk eases but does not vanish. Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer Richard Irvine put it plainly: “Vaccination remains the best way to protect livestock and livelihoods.” For Northern herds and flocks, the message is simple - plan with your vet now for spring 2026.