More than 130,000 cattle, sheep and goats in Scotland are recorded as fully vaccinated against bluetongue serotype 3, though uptake remains uneven across the country. The latest figures list 35,806 cattle on 259 holdings, 94,132 sheep on 688 holdings and 147 goats on 21 holdings as fully protected; 1,353 holdings in all have recorded using vaccine since Scotland's reporting system opened.

A much larger number of animals have received at least one dose — 76,828 cattle, 178,241 sheep and 293 goats — but receiving vaccine is not the same as being fully vaccinated. Depending on the product and the species, animals need one or two primary injections, and ScotEID records can show them as vaccinated, partially vaccinated or expired.

September's county returns point to strong recent sheep vaccination in southern Scotland: 4,478 animals in Roxburgh, 4,026 in Kirkcudbright, 3,180 in Dumfries, 2,956 in Ayr and 2,662 in Berwick. The largest September cattle figures were in Dumfries with 1,110, then Kirkcudbright with 731 and Angus with 359. These are animals recorded as becoming fully vaccinated during the month, not each county's total.

The figures come with a bluetongue Restricted Zone still in place in south-west Scotland. Three BTV-3 vaccines — Bluevac-3, BULTAVO 3 and Syvazul BTV 3 — are authorised in the UK; a vet must prescribe them and farmers are advised to agree the product and timetable with their practice.

Movement conditions remain in force for animals leaving Restricted Zones, with licences required and additional rules for breeding cattle, so farmers should check the latest guidance before moving stock.

Source: The Scottish Farmer