International trade: Customer Information Notes - API/08/183
Bluetongue zones in France
Purpose
To make people aware that France has declared the whole of its mainland territory as a BTV 1 and 8 zone. This is to allow vaccination against both serotypes across the entire country.
Background
Movements of Bluetongue-susceptible species are laid down in Annex III of Commission Regulation 1266/2007 on implementing rules for Council Directive 2000/75/EC as regards the control, monitoring, surveillance and restrictions on movements of certain animals of susceptible species in relation to bluetongue.
All animals from France must now comply with the conditions for exemption from the exit ban in Annex III of the regulation. Until this change this only applied to animals from the BTV1 area in south west and Brittany. Before this, animals could move freely from the BTV8 area to the UK.
Further detail on movement conditions
Animals can move freely within a Restriction Zone, including the confluent BTV8 restriction zones across Europe. However, as the UK has only BTV8, our BTV status differs from France (BTV1+ BTV8). France now has a separate BTV restriction zone.
Animals are not permitted to move out of a Restriction Zone unless they are being moved direct to slaughter, or they can meet the criteria set out in Annex III of the Regulation 1266/2007, which include:
- That they were vaccinated more than 60 days before the date of movement to ensure animals can no longer be infectious even if they were infected just before vaccination;
- That they have been vaccinated and then PCR tested with negative results 14 days after the onset of protective immunity (again, to ensure they have immunity and are not infected); or
- Other, limited movement conditions (e.g. naturally immune animals which have already been infected but no longer infectious, or conditions in some circumstances to confine young animals in vector proof facilities before testing and moving them).
The movement of pregnant animals is subject to compliance with certain conditions before insemination and before the date of movement.
Animals transiting France must comply with the requirements of transit - application of insecticide to animals and vehicle prior to departure. If a rest period is foreseen at a control post in a restricted zone, the animals must be protected against attack by vectors. The route plan should be examined for evidence of whether transit may have occurred. If there is doubt apply insecticide.
Contact point for enquiries
AHIT Chelmsford 01245 358383
Fax: 01245 351162
E-mail: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk
International Animal Health, Imports Team
Page published: 22 December 2008