Latest updates from Ruminant Health & Welfare

Welcome to the latest RH&W newsletter

The recent extension of the bluetongue restricted zone to cover all of England from 1^st July brings with it challenges for livestock farmers and markets in neighbouring nations but also added urgency for vaccination efforts.

To support livestock farmers in navigating the new restrictions, we have seen the launch of the Bluetongue Movements Checker – a highly effective, and simple online tool led by RH&W and AHDB as part of the BTV-3 working group, to help farmers understand the BTV-3 restrictions impacting livestock movement between England, Scotland and Wales. This tool helps quickly find the correct advice and licensing requirements for moving livestock and can be accessed here.

As temperatures remain high, encouraging heightened midge activity, I would also strongly encourage farmers across all regions to prioritise discussing vaccination of livestock with your vets – see the recent letter we co-signed with the GB CVO’s here.

Beyond bluetongue, we are also closely monitoring other livestock health risks such as liver fluke, Nematodirus, and the growing challenge of Haemonchus contortus, which SCOPS have provided up-to-date guidance on for concerned farmers.

Considering these increased disease risks, the expansion of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway has been welcomed – enabling farmers to access funded vet visits across multiple parts of their business – sheep and cattle for example, providing diagnostic early interventions and tailored expert advice.

Thank you again to all members of our working and steering groups for their ongoing dedication and contributions – particularly to supporting farmers navigate the changing bluetongue restrictions. I would urge anyone to make use of the guidance and resources to ensure your farm’s resilience in these changing times.

Gwyn Jones – RH&W Chair

Latest bluetongue BTV-3 updates

For the latest updates and information on bluetongue BTV-3, visit our resource hub here.

New ‘best practice’ protocols published for tackling infectious cattle disease

The Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHECS) have published updated best practice protocols to tackle BVD and Johne’s Disease in the UK with the aim of providing consistent disease control measures and clear communication on risk for herds.

Refreshed protocols include the new Dairy BVD Negative programme which sees the introduction of quarterly bulk milk testing and youngstock screening to identify low-risk herds. As Johne’s Disease remains a significant challenge, an additional level of Johne’s Disease Risk-Level Certification – Risk Level 1*, is being introduced for the lowest risk herds – Risk Level 1 herds that have no positive blood tests for 12 months.

Read more about the new protocols and importance of these new protocols.

Bluetongue Movements Checker launched

Experts from RH&W, AHDB, Welsh and Scottish governments have jointly contributed to the latest resource to be added to the Battle Bluetongue toolkit. The ‘Bluetongue Movements Checker’ is an online tool created to help farmers navigate the complex and changing bluetongue restrictions impacting livestock movement between England, Scotland and Wales.

The Bluetongue Movements Checker tool from RH&W and AHDB is an interactive and online system which allows farmers to find out the correct advice and licensing requirements for moving animals within GB, depending on the specific situation, location and nature of the movement.

Use the tool via the below link:

https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus-hub/bluetongue-movements-checker/

The change in restrictions has also led to further widespread encouragement from the industry to vaccinate against bluetongue.

A spokesperson for the GB chief veterinary officers said: “The restrictions in England last year reduced spread of virus north and west. Now we have available vaccines, licensed for use in England, Scotland and Wales; they should be considered for use across GB to provide protection to livestock health and welfare and to reduce the spread of Bluetongue.”

Welsh vets are emphasising the importance of vaccinating breeding stock as a priority to protect animals from bluetongue-related losses seen in English stock.

Further guidance on bluetongue can be found on UK and Welsh government websites.

Foot and Mouth Disease know the signs

As efforts to contain FMD continue in Europe, it is an important time to remember how to identify signs of the disease in cattle, sheep and deer and where to report it.

Signs in cattle and sheep: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/foot-and-mouth-disease#toc-8

Reporting FMD: If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling: 03000 200 301 in England, 0300 303 8268 in Wales, your local Field Services Office in Scotland, 0300 200 7840 in NI.

Multiple herds and flocks now eligible for vet visit funding

Farmers in England can now receive a funded vet visit ‘Animal Health and Welfare Review’ for each of their herds or flocks of the same species, as the Animal health and Welfare Pathway expands. This means farmers managing several different types of livestock can now get support across their business.

Before the expansion of this support at the end of June, farmers could only receive one funded vet visit per species, however they are now in a better position to work with vets to identify problems early and get advice tailored to each group of animals to improve overall productivity.

To find out how to get a funded vet visit, and to read more about what is included, follow the link: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/26/animal-health-and-welfare-pathway-multiple-herds-now-eligible-for-vet-visit-funding/

Farmers encouraged to participate in vet-led ewe vaginal prolapse study

A new project is being launched by two experienced sheep vets to understand more about how farmers manage and treat vaginal prolapse when it occurs in their lambing ewes.

Leading the study is Sharmina Lockwood, sheep farmer, and vet at Westpoint Farm Vets in Ashford, Kent – part of the UK veterinary group, VetPartners. She explains the value of the research.

“It is important to better understand how farmers are currently managing this condition on their farms, so that we can develop advice on how to improve practice and protect the welfare of ewes affected by this condition,

The results will be shared widely to help everyone working with sheep and to enable farmers to understand how others manage the condition.

The study is open to any farmer or small holder who lambed ewes in the UK in the most recent season (2024-25) and will take around 10 minutes to complete.

The survey can be accessed via the link below and closes on 1 August:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VaginalProlapse

SCOPS advises sheep farmer to stay alert of Haemonchus contortus

Haemonchus contortus – commonly known as Barber’s Pole worm – is a roundworm which can affect sheep in the UK, by residing in the stomach. Presence of the worm does not typically lead to diarrhoea, but clinical signs include anaemia, bottle jaw, weight loss, lethargy, and can in some cases, cause sudden death.

As Haemonchus gains more attention across the UK, SCOPS emphasise the importance of accurate diagnosis, and notably, calm, evidence-based decision-making to support effective on-farm control.

SCOPS urges farmers not to panic, but to take coordinated steps to diagnose Haemonchus effectively which involve testing, species identification, monitoring symptoms and post mortems.

SCOPS also reminds farmers of the importance of regular monitoring, strategic treatment, and robust quarantine protocols, particularly as dry pasture conditions can influence parasite dynamics.

To read more on the guidance offered by SCOPS, visit the website: www.scops.org.uk

Dairy cow mastitis campaign considers need for antibiotic treatment

CVS Farm Vets’ recent dairy cow mastitis campaign has highlighted that approximately 30% of Mastatest submissions identified either no bacteria or detected bacteria that do not benefit from antibiotic use.

To address these findings and support defend against future antimicrobial resistance and promote animal welfare, CVS are encouraging farmers to administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to affected cows while awaiting Mastatest results. This approach will further support more sustainable and effective mastitis management in dairy herds.

National UK blowfly risk alert raised to red

Sheep farmers across the UK are being urged to take protective action against the risk of blowfly as the alert reaches red and the hot weather continues.

Developed with the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS), the Blowfly Watch risk forecast is designed to help farmers anticipate blowfly activity, supporting the potential for a proactive approach on-farm against strike.

Read more about blowfly strike and preventative measures here.

Scottish Government matches funding to support Louping ill vaccine

Louping ill poses a major challenge to the sheep industry since the withdrawal of the previous vaccine in 2017 – with no replacement for a licensed vaccine since.

To tackle this, the Moredun Research Institute have been crowdfunding to support the commercialisation of its newly developed vaccine against the Louping Ill Virus (LIV), with the first phase requiring £720,000.

The Scottish Government will match funding of up to £100,000, until the end of December to support the development. Moredun is encouraging farmers and stakeholders to make the most of the opportunity and help bring the vaccine to market.

Follow the link to donate: Support the New Louping Ill Vaccine – Moredun Research Institute