New case of disease requires protection zone to be extended into Wiltshire and further into Hampshire

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has made extended the Bluetongue protection zone, following confirmation of the disease on premises within the current zone.

In accordance with the UK Bluetongue control strategy and EU legislation, one case in New Forest District requires the protection zone to be extended into Wiltshire and further into Hampshire.

The infected animals were found as a result of pre-movement testing required to move animals out of zones in the vector-free period, which ended on 15 March.

Defra said all evidence suggests that these animals were infected last year.