“Vaccination remains the best way to protect livestock and livelihoods,” said Huw Irranca‑Davies MS, confirming Wales will move to an all‑Wales Restricted Zone from Monday 10 November. The announcement landed as Defra recorded fresh bluetongue positives in England over the weekend, keeping the issue firmly on the radar for farms across the North.

Defra’s latest situation report lists 154 confirmed bluetongue cases in Great Britain since the 2025 season began in July. England accounts for 141 cases and Wales 13, with no cases reported in Scotland. Most detections are BTV‑3, with a handful involving BTV‑8 or mixed findings.

On Saturday 1 November, four new BTV‑3 cases were confirmed in England: two newborn dairy calves in Staffordshire, a dairy cow in Leicestershire, a pre‑weaned suckler calf in Kent and a suckler cow in Cornwall. Routine surveillance in Cornwall also picked up two cattle with different serotypes-one BTV‑3 and one BTV‑8.

Northern readers will note recent positives closer to home. On 24 October, a four‑month‑old calf in Cheshire tested positive after clinical signs, and a separate Derbyshire case was confirmed via pre‑movement testing. Earlier in the week, further routine surveillance cases were logged in Cornwall.

As temperatures drop, APHA assesses the risk of onward spread by biting midges as very low in the North East, as well as in the South East, East Anglia and the South West. Officials still rate the risk of virus incursion at medium overall, with low risk from airborne routes but an ongoing risk from already‑infected midges and from germinal products.

Wales will shift from a local Temporary Control Zone to an all‑Wales Restricted Zone on Monday 10 November. Ministers say this will revoke premises‑level bluetongue restrictions and end further BTV‑3‑specific culling in Wales, while maintaining surveillance and rules on germinal products. “I will declare an all‑Wales Restricted Zone commencing on 10 November,” Mr Irranca‑Davies confirmed. Movements between England and Wales will no longer require bluetongue vaccination or additional mitigation measures.

England has been under a country‑wide Restricted Zone since 1 July, which allows movements within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre‑movement testing. A licence and testing are still required to freeze germinal products such as semen, ova and embryos, with keepers meeting sampling and lab costs.

For North‑based keepers trading into Scotland, the message is unchanged: follow Scottish Government licensing and testing rules for any movements from England’s Restricted Zone to Scotland. Defra signposts the relevant guidance and advises checking conditions before arranging sales or grazing.

Vaccines against BTV‑3 are available in Great Britain. Current products include Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3, with country‑specific licensing conditions. Vets are advised to record vaccine use, and keepers are reminded not to test vaccinated animals for pre‑movement checks until seven days after vaccination to avoid interference.

Day‑to‑day steps still matter. Government advice emphasises responsible sourcing, vigilance for clinical signs, housing animals to keep out midges-especially at dawn and dusk-and maintaining tight farm hygiene. If you’re considering vaccination, speak to your vet about timing and licence conditions for your area.

Before booking transport or market entries, check the official bluetongue maps and updates so paperwork and testing aren’t an afterthought. Defra hosts a live case map and zone information alongside movement guidance for England, Wales and Scotland. It’s five minutes well spent during a busy winter housing season.