Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency confirm 180 bluetongue cases across Great Britain for the 2025 season as of 13 November. England accounts for 167 (161 BTV‑3 only, one BTV‑8 only, five mixed); Wales has 13; Scotland has none. Defra also provides a live case map by serotype for on‑farm planning, updated alongside the daily notes.

New confirmations this week suggest scattered transmission rather than a sharp wave. Routine surveillance on 12 November found one bovine in West Sussex and four in East Sussex. Since 1 November, detections have also been recorded in Hampshire, Devon, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Somerset, the Isle of Wight, Cheshire, Kent and Leicestershire.

Defra now rates onward spread by midges as very low in the south‑east, East Anglia, the south‑west and the north‑east as temperatures fall. The risk of further incursion from all routes remains medium, with airborne risk assessed as low. For farm managers, this points to biosecurity around purchases and stored genetic material rather than vector pressure.

Movement rules are simpler in England. Since 1 July the whole country has been a single restricted zone: no specific licence or pre‑movement tests are needed for movements within England, including to markets and abattoirs, provided the conditions of general licence EXD612 are met. Slaughterhouses in England do not need special designation.

Wales moved onto the same footing at 00:01 on 10 November with an all‑Wales restricted zone. Temporary control zones and premises‑level restrictions have ended, and livestock can move between England and Wales without bluetongue vaccination or mitigation under the cross‑border general licence. The Welsh Government confirms the change and points to the GB licence reference (EXD671).

Scotland remains case‑free, but moves into Scotland from restricted zones still require the appropriate general licences and adherence to Scottish testing rules where specified. Defra and APHA have refreshed licences for direct consignments and for animals bought at specified sales; buyers and hauliers should download the latest versions before booking transport.

Genetics is the operational pinch‑point. To freeze semen, ova or embryos in England you need either a specific licence or a designated collection site, and every donor must be tested after collection. Timings are strict: PCR sampling 6–28 days post‑collection or ELISA 28–60 days post‑collection, noting ELISA is unsuitable in vaccinated animals. Keepers cover sampling, postage and laboratory fees, and product must stay quarantined until negative results are confirmed.

Vaccination is available but does not relax trade rules. Three BTV‑3 vaccines - Bluevac‑3, Bultavo 3 and SYVAZUL BTV 3 - are authorised, with use subject to country‑specific licensing and reporting. Defra advises that trade restrictions continue to apply to vaccinated animals and recommends waiting at least seven days after vaccination before sampling to avoid interference with monitoring.

For beef and dairy businesses, the near‑term impacts are practical. Markets, finishers and processors in England and Wales can operate with fewer checks inside and between the two countries, but moves to Scotland still need lead time for licensing and any testing set out in Scottish guidance. For breeding programmes, the post‑collection testing windows and designated‑premises requirement add time and cost - a consideration for autumn flushes and early‑spring calvings. Defra has highlighted that bluetongue can reduce milk yield and reproductive performance, reinforcing the focus on keeping infected germinal product out of circulation.

Our read‑across for farm planning is straightforward. Build a two‑ to four‑week buffer into any Scotland‑bound moves to cover licence paperwork and lab turnaround, ring‑fence budget for germinal product tests, and coordinate vaccination and sampling with your vet. For situational awareness, monitor Defra’s daily update and check the case map when scheduling movements in or out of higher‑incidence counties.