Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce delays in confirming cases of bluetongue disease in the South West.

Since 11 September 2026, private vets in England can diagnose cases of bluetongue based on clinical signs, with cases then formally confirmed by APHA. This is supported by a new online reporting system, which reduces the time taken to both notify and confirm cases. It also frees up laboratory capacity for movement testing and surveillance. Defra continues to work with industry representatives to consider further measures to support farmers.