Christine Middlemiss

It is now a legal requirement for all birdkeepers within the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to follow ‘strict biosecurity measures' to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size

14 cases of BTV-3 have been detected in premises which are now outside the current restricted zone

"The control zone is there through no fault of any member within that control zone"

Government says stringent measures are needed to help prevent another AI outbreak

Suffolk sheep farmer Stephen Cobbald has explained the difficulty of farming in a bluetongue restricted zone

Defra also confirmed seven new cases of the virus have been reported in the 'Restriction Zone' over the weekend

APHA said there have been 167 cases of the virus in the UK since November 2023

Bluetongue has been confirmed in 27 animals on 10 farms across both counties since August 26

"This detection is a clear reminder of the threat of the disease"

The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer said 4,000 cases of bluetongue had been reported across the continent in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands