Defra's Bluetongue advice
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease caused by infection with bluetongue virus. Bluetongue virus is mainly spread by biting midges.
Bluetongue virus affects:
- sheep
- cattle
- other ruminants such as deer and goats
- camelids such as llamas and alpacas
Spot and report it
If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it immediately by calling 03000 200 301 in England.
Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. This means if you do not report it, you're breaking the law.
Defra's Avian flu advice
Avian Influenza has been found in England in November 2024.
Guidance on biosecurity measures for poultry and kept birds may be found on the Defra's avian flu advice.
Keepers should familiarise themselves with Defra's avian flu advice and report suspicion of disease to APHA on Tel: 0300 0200 301.
Legislation exists to protect both human, through the food chain, and animal health. This prevents the introduction of serious, notifiable diseases such as Avian Flu and Foot and Mouth and includes requirements for maintaining records and ensuring livestock are identified. Measures also exist to protect the welfare of livestock, whether on smallholdings, farms, in transit or at abattoirs.
We work with the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), to ensure the above.
This Farm Regulators' Charter sets out what you can expect from a farm visit by a regulator and what your responsibilities are.
If you are a new livestock keeper please ensure that you have obtained a holding number from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on 03000 200 301 and then a herd/flock number from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (AHPA) a DEFRA agency on 03000 200 301. We will then be notified.
Who to contact
- Livestock keepers in Buckinghamshire or Surrey, contact us on 0300 123 2329 or trading.standards@surreycc.gov.uk
- Animal health emergencies, please note that we no longer operate an out of hours service. To report a notifiable disease in animals or serious welfare problem in farmed animals, please contact Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 03000 200 301
- Pet Travel Scheme helpline 0370 241 1710
- Consumers, contact Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.
- Guidance on animal inspections (GOV.UK)
- Free Impartial legal advice for business
Find out about
- Animal disease
- Cattle Keeper requirements
- Feed hygiene requirements
- Horse passports
- Pig Keeper requirements
- Poultry Keeper requirements
- Sheep and Goat Keeper requirements
- Pet Travel Scheme
- Exporting animals and animal products after the European UnIon (EU) exit
- Importing animals and animal products after the EU exit
