Government widens Bluetongue zone

The virus in spread to livestock via midges

The government's protection zone against the animal disease bluetongue will be extended to include Herefordshire and Shropshire.

The extension, starting on Monday, will allow more animals to be vaccinated against the disease, a move which is only allowed in the zone, Defra said.

It completes its rollout into counties previously in the surveillance zone.

The government has been expanding the high-risk protection zones county-by-county as part of its vaccination plan.

The virus, spread by midges, was first reported in Britain last year. Since then, 127 premises have been infected.

Bluetongue is non-contagious but can have a devastating effect on cattle herds and sheep.

The first vaccinations took place on a farm in Norfolk at the start of May.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the latest move meant no surveillance zone remained in England.

Animals can only be moved out of the protection zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or being moved for slaughter.

Livestock keepers in the areas coming into the protection zone will be able to obtain the vaccine from the time they become part of the zone, but are encouraged to order vaccines in advance through their vet.