Bluetongue case found in Lincolnshire

Bluetongue has found its way to Lincolnshire, with a new case of the disease confirmed at a farm at Alford.

A protection zone has been established in the area surrounding the farm and livestock within that perimeter will be considered a priority for the vaccination which is due to be released in May.

While no general ban on moving livestock has been enforced, farmers in Rochdale must now follow testing and licensing restrictions.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Rochdale has been included in the protection zone despite being 100 miles from the case.

Rochdale borough council’s head of planning and regulation Peter Rowlinson told the newspaper: “We need to be clear that there are currently no reported instances of Bluetongue in the borough and no health implications for humans.”

At the end of last year, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ordered 22.5 million doses of Bluetongue vaccine from Intervet.

The animal health giant has stated that the doses should become available in May.