Bluetongue: What It Is and How the EU Manages It

What is Bluetongue?

Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects certain farm animals like sheep, cattle, and goats. Unlike some diseases, Bluetongue doesn't spread directly from one animal to another. Instead, it relies on tiny biting insects called Culicoides midges to transmit the virus. Sheep are usually the most affected, showing symptoms like swelling, bleeding, and inflammation. Cattle and goats, on the other hand, often carry the virus without showing any signs of illness, but they can still pass it on to other animals through these insect bites.

How Does the EU Handle Bluetongue?

In the European Union (EU), Bluetongue is taken seriously but isn't treated as an emergency that requires immediate eradication across all countries. Instead, it's classified as a "Category C" disease under a law called Regulation (EU) 2016/429. This means that while Bluetongue is important to manage, especially in certain areas, each country can decide how to deal with it based on their specific needs.

Changes in the Rules

Before April 21, 2021, Bluetongue was controlled under strict rules that demanded aggressive action to eradicate the disease, no matter where it appeared in the EU. However, those rules were replaced with a more flexible approach. Now, countries have more options to deal with the disease. They can choose to focus on vaccinating animals, monitoring the disease's spread, and controlling the movement of animals to prevent Bluetongue from reaching areas that are free from the virus.

Optional Eradication Programs

EU countries can choose to run their own programs to eliminate Bluetongue, focusing on the 24 different types of the virus. These programs usually involve vaccinating animals, keeping an eye on the disease's spread, and placing restrictions on moving animals from one place to another. This helps prevent the virus from spreading to regions where Bluetongue hasn't been found yet.

Disease-Free and Under Control

Some parts of the EU are officially recognized as "disease-free" or "under eradication," which means they either don't have Bluetongue or are working hard to get rid of it. These areas can impose stricter rules on animal movement to keep the disease out, while regions with active eradication programs are focused on reducing or eliminating the virus.

Moving Animals Within the EU

Moving animals from one EU country to another is tightly regulated to prevent the spread of Bluetongue. There are specific rules that must be followed, but there are also exceptions, known as "derogations." These allow animals to be moved under certain conditions, even if they don't meet all the usual health requirements. However, the country receiving the animals must approve these movements and notify the European Commission and other member states.

Protecting Farms from the Virus

Some farms are designated as "vector-protected establishments." This means they have special measures in place, like insect-proofing, to keep midges out and prevent them from spreading Bluetongue. Additionally, certain areas may be declared "seasonally Bluetongue-free" during times of the year when the midges aren't active, reducing the risk of the disease spreading.

The Bottom Line

Bluetongue is a serious disease for farm animals, but the EU's approach to managing it has become more flexible. Instead of a one-size-fits-all rule, each country can choose the best way to handle the disease based on their situation. By focusing on vaccination, monitoring, and controlled animal movement, the goal is to protect livestock and prevent the disease from spreading to new areas, while allowing for local differences in how it's managed.

Source: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-diseases/surveillance-eradication-programmes-and-disease-free-status/bluetongue_en