On the 12th June 2010 Great Britain changed its status from a Bluetongue virus 8 (BTV8) Protection Zone to a Lower Risk Zone. This means that animals originating in another BTV Protection Zone must now meet certain Annex III conditions under Regulation (EC) No. 1266/2007. Therefore, only animals which have been vaccinated for the serotypes present in the area in accordance with a programme adopted or approved by the national competent authority, or which have natural immunity, can move to Great Britain.

This has presented a problem with exotic species that, for conservation purposes, have to be moved between zoological collections within the EU. Given the importance of these movements and considering the conservation and welfare implications, it has been agreed that the movement into Great Britain will be facilitated on a case-by-case basis through bilateral agreements with the Member State of origin on the basis of Article 8.1(b) of the Regulation.

The following requirements will be used as a basis for the bilateral agreements:
o The animal has been vaccinated for all serotypes present in the area in the Member State of origin at least 60 days prior to movement, followed by serology to confirm response to vaccination. This will only apply where there is evidence that a vaccine for a specific serotype is efficacious in that species.
o In the case of giraffidae, where the welfare implications of sampling are too great, vaccination for all serotypes present in the area will be required at least 60 days prior to the movement, and absence of confirmed cases of BTV in the surrounding 150km in the last 60 days.
o The animal has been vaccinated for all serotypes present in the area in the Member State of origin, and tested 14 days after the onset of immunity (according to manufacturer’s recommendations) and demonstrated positive serology and negative for presence of virus. This option will apply to any vaccinated animal whether efficacy has been proven or not.

In order to obtain such bilateral agreements, the Member State of origin should contact the Animal Health Import Team (see contact details below), providing details of the consignment intended for movement and stating which of the above requirement can be met.

Animal Health Import Team Animal Health Divisional Office Beeches Road Chelmsford Essex CM1 2RU
E-mail: AHITchelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk Telephone: 01245 454860
This does not preclude the option that unvaccinated animals with proof of natural immunity, as per Annex III points 6 and 7 of the Regulation, may move into Great Britain.
Further conditions for the transit of animals, under Article 9 of the Regulation, will also be required as per domestic species, such as insecticide treatment.
ENDS