Great Britain has recorded 249 bluetongue cases this season (since July 2025): 230 in England-222 BTV-3 only, 1 BTV-8 only, and 7 with both-plus 19 BTV-3 cases in Wales. Scotland remains clear. Northern Ireland has one confirmed BTV-3 case. Figures are current to 13 December 2025; this article is published 14 December 2025.

Between 8 and 13 December, officials logged twelve additional BTV-3 cases across England and Wales via surveillance and clinical reports, including South Yorkshire, Kent, Cornwall, Hampshire, Cheshire, Somerset, Derbyshire, Powys and Wrexham. This reflects targeted detection through winter rather than large-scale spread.

Risk is seasonal. With temperatures falling, authorities judge onward spread by midges to be negligible in the south-east, East Anglia, the south-west and the north-east. The overall risk of new introductions remains at medium, while airborne risk is now negligible.

Movement rules matter for margins. England remains under a country-wide restricted zone, but movements within England do not require a bluetongue-specific licence or pre-movement testing. Germinal products-semen, ova and embryos-are different: freezing requires a specific licence and testing, and keepers meet sampling, postage and laboratory costs.

Wales has operated an all‑Wales restricted zone since 00:01 on 10 November 2025. Earlier premises-level notices were lifted, and livestock can move between the restricted zones in England and Wales without vaccination or extra mitigation where the general licence conditions are met. Donor testing for germinal products continues for assurance.

Breeding calendars need a rethink. Donor testing before freezing and marketing adds lead time for AI centres and pedigree sales. Farms scheduling synchronised AI or embryo transfer should book vets and lab slots earlier than usual, allow for courier time, and confirm how long test results remain valid against the relevant paperwork before committing to sale dates.

Cashflow is the quiet pressure point. The disease does not affect human health or food safety, but it does add process costs and admin. Budgeting for sampling, postage and testing-and agreeing cost-sharing on inter‑farm trades-reduces the risk of aborted transactions during December and January market weeks.

Supply chain risk looks contained for finished stock because internal movements remain open inside England and across England–Wales restricted zones. Genetics is the pinch point: if licensed freezing and donor testing slow semen and embryo availability, some herds may delay upgrades or switch product types, nudging 2026–27 replacement profiles.

What to do next: check your status on the official case and zone maps, use the published general licences for cross‑border moves, and keep records tidy for auctioneers and buyers. Coordinate early with vets and AI providers, and report any suspect signs to APHA without delay.