The Bluetongue Control Strategy agreed in 2002, which is available on the DEFRA website, sets out the disease control measures which the UK would use in the event of an outbreak of Bluetongue. The Strategy is currently under review (in partnership with industry) in light of experience and epidemiological evidence from the 2006 Northern European outbreak, and may therefore be subject to amendment.
As Bluetongue is spread via vectors (that is, midges), rather than from animal to animal, compulsory slaughter of ruminants infected with bluetongue would not normally form part of our control strategy. We would not, therefore, expect any compensation to be payable.
The species of Culicoides midge, which has acted as a vector for disease in the current North European outbreak, is different from the species which have traditionally acted as the vector in Southern Europe and Africa. The European Food Standard Agency are currently conducting a detailed epidemiological analysis of the North European outbreak, including details of vector biology and behaviour.
From initial studies it can be roughly estimated that a midge can travel up to 1.5-2 kilometres (km) a day in a local area. However, if caught in suitable meteorological conditions, midges can be carried much farther (that is, more than 200 km) especially over water masses,. All of these details are an approximation and vary according to local environmental, topographical and meteorological conditions.