Bluetongue threat to Test Valley (From This is Hampshire)

Bluetongue threat to Test Valley

9:37am Monday 7th April 2008 in

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FARMERS in Test Valley faced new restrictions as a bluetongue protection zone was extended last week to cover the area after the diagnosis of a new case in the New Forest.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) last week confirmed changes to the bluetongue protection zone, following confirmation of disease on premises within the existing zone.

In accordance with the UK control strategy and EU legislation, one case in the New Forest required the protection zone to be extended into Wiltshire and further into Hampshire, including the whole of Test Valley.

All evidence suggests that these animals were infected last year.

Defra says the disease was identified in a cow as part of pre-movement testing required for moving livestock out of the zones during a period when the risk of the disease spreading was low.

Animals may not be moved out of the protection zone, including to a surveillance zone, without a licence granted by an inspector.