There has been a surge in the number of sheep affected by an outbreak of bluetongue in the UK. Farmers whose livestock are at risk are being urged to move them out of areas where midges are plentiful.
The viral disease, which does not necessarily kill sheep but makes them ill and can have a long recovery time, presents as high fever and swelling of the lips and tongue. The tongue may go blue and even protrude from the mouth. More than 590 cases were reported in the first week of August, according to the National Sheep Association (NSA).
The European Commission has moved to reclassify bluetongue virus under its animal disease laws, which is expected to result in less mandatory restrictions when cases of the disease are uncovered.
On Friday (August 7), the commission published updated legal texts to reflect the changes. Under the revisions, bluetongue will be reclassified from a category 'C+D+E' disease to a category 'D+E' disease only.
EU law has a five category system for classifying diseases and the responses to them. Category D+E (which will apply to bluetongue if the changes are adopted) require member states to adopt measures to prevent spread to other EU member states, and to keep surveillance measures in place.
It is understood that the changes will mean that animal movement restrictions within a member state will no longer be mandatory under EU law.
It is understood that these changes are set to come into effect from November 1 this year.
