Farmers in and around the Temporary Control Zone relating to the first confirmed case of the new strain of bluetongue, will now be able to call a dedicated hotline for advice.
- All farmers are able to access the hotline at 024 7771 0386
- NFU members can also access the CallFirst hotline at 0370 845 8458
It is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and farmers are also encouraged to access the Ruminant Health & Welfare website for the most up to date information, as well as the Animal and Plant Health Agency for queries relating to testing, and Defra for available licences on animal movement.
Surveillance is on-going in the 10km TCZ following the BTV-3 bluetongue case says Dr Joseph Henry BVMS Cert SHP MRCVS, chair of the RH&W bluetongue working group and president of the Sheep Veterinary Society.
“If you farm animals in or around the TCZ, or are a smallholder with sheep, cattle or camelids, please do ensure you are registered with your paperwork up-to-date, to allow routine disease surveillance to be undertaken so we can build an accurate picture of the disease situation.”
