Bluetongue protection for Rochdale

Cattle and sheep in Rochdale can now be vaccinated against Bluetongue as the Government’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is to include the town in the Bluetongue Protection Zone from 21 July.

The new declaration means the Bluetongue Surveillance Zone, will change to a Protection Zone in the Rochdale area, which allows vaccines to be used to fight the spread of the disease.

Rochdale Council's Head of Planning and Regulation, Peter Rowlinson said: "Vaccination is a very effective way of controlling the disease and we would advise animal keepers to contact their veterinary surgeons to arrange for their animals to be vaccinated. Please make contact as soon as possible because the vaccine needs to be ordered through Defra.”

Bluetongue is a disease that affects ruminating animals including, cattle, deer, goats and particularly sheep. It does not affect pigs or horses. The disease is characterised by changes to the mucous linings of the mouth and nose and the coronary band of the foot. Bluetongue is caused by a virus spread by certain types of biting midges. It does not affect humans.

The areas where animals can and can not be moved have not changed. While there is no blanket ban on the movement of livestock there are still restrictions preventing movement without testing and licences to the ‘Bluetongue Free Zone’. This zone is still immediately to the north and west of the town's boundaries and includes the neighbouring areas of Rossendale and Bury. Full details can be obtained from Defra:

Website: www.defra.gov.uk

Telephone helpline: 08459 33 55 77