To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what precautionary steps his Department has taken to prevent the spread of BTV8 and BTV1 from imported live stock to domestic sheep and cattle in the UK. (243827)

DEFRA continues to conduct post-import tests on all imported animals for all BT serotypes. This means we can detect all types of Bluetongue through our routine testing.

We have an agreed policy for controlling incursions of any new serotypes under the existing UK Bluetongue Control Strategy. This strategy was reviewed recently in light of this year’s experience and to address risk from other serotypes, and was published on the DEFRA website on 1 December.

Details of the Control Strategy are currently available on the DEFRA website. Copies will also be placed in the House Library.

DEFRA continues to urge industry to consider the risks and check the health and vaccination status of animals when sourcing any animals, from within the UK or abroad.