Bluetongue and Shooting

8 October 2007

The Government has now confirmed over 35 cases of Bluetongue Disease in ruminants in East Anglia. Gamekeepers may have been wondering whether the new appearance of this notifiable disease in England might lead to restrictions on shooting, stalking and gamekeeping activity.

Defra have confirmed that their control measures to prevent the spread of Bluetongue should not affect shooting or gamakeeping. Restrictions imposed so far relate only to the movement of live ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats and deer) out of the control zones around the outbreak. Carcass movements are not affected.

Deer, as ruminants, can contract Bluetongue through blood to blood transmission (eg by midges) and there are reports of red deer dying in parts of mainland Europe where the disease is circulating. So far no case has been found in deer in the UK but anything suspicious should be reported to the local Divisional Veterinary Manager.