Bluetongue Disease Update

Since Monday 19th May 2008 all of Leicestershire has been in the Bluetongue Protection Zone.

What you can not do:

Susceptible livestock cannot move from a Bluetongue Protection Zone into a free area.

What you can do:

Livestock can be moved anywhere within the Protection Zone.
Movements out of bluetongue zones directly to an approved slaughterhouse are permitted. These must take place after dusk and before dawn, to avoid moving whilst midge activity is at its highest.
Livestock can be moved from the Protection Zone to the Surveillance Zone.
This is under general licence and strict conditions have to be met. The Movement Guidance and Licences information is available on the DEFRA website.

For the latest declaration, licences and further general information on the Bluetongue Disease please view the DEFRA website.

Help for Those Experiencing Stress

If you are a member of the farming community experiencing distress and you would like to contact someone for help, support or just a listening ear then contact one of the numbers below;

Rural Stress Information Network (weekdays 9am-5pm) 02476 412916 or
Farm Crisis Network (everyday 7am -11pm) 07002 326326

Enforcement

Trading Standards are responsible for enforcing any breaches of movement restrictions. Failure to meet the requirement of any Licences is a criminal offence. The penalty upon conviction could be up to three months imprisonment or a £5000 fine.

If you see any vehicles containing livestock which you think are not complying with the movement restrictions you should report it to 0116 305 8000 with as much information as possible. If your report is outside office hours, you should contact Leicestershire Police on 0116 222 2222 or the Leicester Office of Defra on 07623 937 3393.

Bluetongue Disease Update

Help for Those Experiencing Stress

Enforcement

further information