Bluetongue Virus Threat: Scottish Farmers and Keepers Urged to Share Their Views

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are working to understand the growing threat of bluetongue virus in the UK, which has led to outbreaks across northern Europe and has recently been confirmed in England. The virus, transmitted by biting midges, primarily affects sheep, cattle, and goats, causing symptoms such as fever, swelling, and lameness, and in severe cases, abortion, deformities, or death. To address the challenges posed by the disease, scientists are organizing workshops in the Scottish Borders region to engage with farmers and keepers, gathering their experiences and concerns to inform future disease control strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bluetongue virus, transmitted by biting midges, affects sheep, cattle, and goats, causing symptoms such as fever, swelling, and lameness, and in severe cases, abortion, deformities, or death.
  • The virus has led to outbreaks across northern Europe, and a new strain, BTV-3, was first confirmed in England in November 2023.
  • The UK government has introduced restrictions on livestock movements from England into Scotland to help contain the disease.
  • The James Hutton Institute is organizing a series of workshops for farmers and keepers in the Scottish Borders region to gather their experiences and concerns about the disease.
  • The workshops, funded by EPIC Scotland, will take place in three locations and will provide attendees with supper, travel reimbursement, and childcare expenses.
  • The information gathered through the workshops will be anonymized and shared with policymakers to help shape future disease control strategies.
  • The James Hutton Institute hopes to build a clearer picture of bluetongue's real-world impacts and support efforts to protect animal health and farm livelihoods across the region.
  • Funded by EPIC Scotland, the workshops are part of Scottish government-funded research aiming to understand the threat of the bluetongue virus and inform future policies for managing and controlling animal diseases in Scotland.
  • Researchers emphasize the importance of farmers' voices being heard, as their insights will be used to inform future disease control strategies.
  • The workshops will focus on understanding how bluetongue and the associated government restrictions are affecting farmers' daily operations and livelihoods.

Statistics:

  • Since its arrival in England, the virus has continued to spread.
  • The UK government has introduced restrictions on livestock movements from England into Scotland in July 2025.
  • The bluetongue virus primarily affects sheep, cattle, and goats.
  • The new strain of bluetongue virus, BTV-3, was first confirmed in England in November 2023.
  • There are three locations for the workshops, running from 6:30pm to 9pm on July 29, 30, and 31.
  • The workshops are funded by EPIC Scotland and are part of Scottish government-funded research.

Sources:

  • Farmers and livestock keepers across the Scottish Borders are being urged to share their views as scientists work urgently to better understand the growing threat of bluetongue virus and its impact on UK livestock (Scottish government-funded research).
  • Researchers from the James Hutton Institute are reaching out to local farmers and keepers, inviting them to contribute their experiences and concerns regarding this viral disease.
  • Funded by EPIC Scotland, the workshops will take place in three locations, running from 6:30pm to 9pm on July 29, 30, and 31.
  • Contact Carol Kyle via email at carol.kyle@hutton.ac.uk or by phone on 01224 395206 to register for the workshops.
  • The James Hutton Institute is organizing the workshops as part of Scottish government-funded research aiming to understand the threat of the bluetongue virus and inform future policies for managing and controlling animal diseases in Scotland.