AUGUST 29, 2008: DEFRA has confirmed that eight imported cattle, on premises near Tiverton, Devon, are carrying the bluetongue virus.
The animals were all part of the same consignment imported from within the bluetongue restricted zone in Germany.
The presence of the bluetongue virus was detected by post-import testing, conducted by DEFRA. Thetests are carried out on all bluetongue susceptible animals arrivingfrom continental Europe, in addition to checks at the country of origin.DEFRAhas also confirmed that an extension of the bluetongue protection zoneinto Northumberland and Cumbria will take place on Monday 1 September.A DEFRA spokesman said the extension would complete the roll-out of the vaccination programme in England.
