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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on permitting a vaccine for Bluetongue; and what discussions he has had with devolved Administrations on ensuring that vaccine is available across the United Kingdom.

Defra’s approach to bluetongue virus (BTV) considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice and aims to limit the spread of infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures.

Close collaborative working on bluetongue vaccination with Devolved Governments is facilitated through the bluetongue vaccine task force. The task force was established in April 2024 by Defra as a cross-government and industry task force to progress opportunities for bluetongue vaccination for BTV-3.

Supported by the work of the bluetongue vaccination taskforce, in the absence of UK authorised vaccines for BTV-3 following assessment by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) the Secretary of State in 2024 permitted the use of three unauthorised vaccines for emergency use in line with bluetongue legislation, in the UK subject to licence. A general licence permitting the use of these vaccines in England from 26 September 2024 has been published by Defra. The Welsh Government has also announced plans that a licence for the three BTV-3 vaccines for use in Wales from 1 March 2025 will be made available. Licences for Scotland and Northern Ireland are not currently available, but the use of BTV-3 vaccines in these areas remain under review. We advise animal keepers that are considering using the vaccine to speak to their private vet for advice.

Defra, in conjunction with the VMD will continue to monitor the development and availability of BTV vaccines as they are put forward for market authorisation by vaccine manufacturers.