Bluetongue: declaration
Declaration to allow farmers to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue.
The Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012
Declaration of area in which voluntary vaccination against bluetongue is permitted
1. This declaration is made under articles 3(1), 4(1) and 24(1) of the Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2012 ("the 2012 Order").
2. In accordance with article 24(2) of the 2012 Order this declaration is made based on the result of a specific risk assessment carried out by the Scottish Ministers.
3. The Scottish Ministers declare that the whole of Scotland, being a free area, is an area in which voluntary vaccination against bluetongue is permitted.
4. The permission to vaccinate is on the condition that vaccination must be done using a vaccine:
(a) which is not a live attenuated vaccine, and
(b) where the vaccine is for bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the vaccination must be carried out in accordance with the schedule of conditions found at the Annex to this declaration
5. The declaration of an area in which voluntary vaccination against bluetongue is permitted, made by Scottish Ministers on 17 September 2024, is revoked.
6. Terms used in this declaration have the same meaning as they have in the 2012 Order.
7. This declaration comes into force at the beginning of the day on the day after which it is made.
Signed
Sheila Voas
A member of staff of the Scottish Ministers
29 April 2025
Annex
Schedule of Conditions:
1. The vaccine shall be administered according to the manufacturer’s instructions and veterinary instruction.
2. Any animal that has been vaccinated which does not already have a means of individual identification applied to it, must have a means of individual identification applied to it.
3. Written or digital records must be kept of every animal vaccinated and must be provided to an inspector on request. The record must be retained by the keeper for at least five years and contain the following:
a. Species vaccinated,
b. Identifier relevant to means of individual identification applied to the animal,
c. Date of 1st dose,
d. Date of any further doses,
e. Vaccine product name and batch number,
f. Name and job title of the person who administered the vaccine,
g. Dose administered (ml),
h. Route of administration (i.e. intramuscularly or subcutaneously),
i. The stated withdrawal period of the vaccine used,
j. CPH and address of the holding where vaccination took place.
4. Where the animals vaccinated are cattle, sheep or goats, the information required in condition 3 must be submitted through the ScotEID online portal. For other animals susceptible to BTV-3, this information must be submitted through the UK Government online portal. Reporting of vaccination must be done as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours after the time vaccination takes place.
Notes
1. “Veterinary surgeon” means a suitably qualified person registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
2. “Animal” means a ruminating animal or camelid. Ruminating animals includes but is not limited to cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Camelid includes camels, llamas and alpacas.
3. If you suspect notifiable disease, you must report this immediately to APHA. You can find your local APHA office contact details at: Find your local APHA Scotland Field Services office - GOV.UK
4. Contact Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on the details provided above or your Local Authority for further advice on biosecurity measures and any other legislation that may apply.
5. Bluetongue legislation can be found at: Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot
6. Information on how we use your personal data is set out in the bluetongue virus (BTV) vaccination recording privacy notice.
Contact
If you suspect signs of any notifiable diseases, you must immediately notify your Scotland: field service local office at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Failure to do so is an offence.