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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the spread of bluetongue disease on South Suffolk constituency.

Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) was detected in the EU for the first time in autumn 2023 and it will take time to fully understand the impacts of this disease on the sector. We continue to investigate all reports of suspicion of disease and are monitoring the evidence of impacts domestically and on the continent.

In the meantime, we continue to attempt to prevent its spread. We acted quickly to contain disease when the first case this season was detected on 26 August, implementing zones with movement controls on susceptible livestock to prevent spread in East Anglia, and more recently in East Riding.

Defra has also permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 in the high-risk counties of south-east England.

Defra and APHA continue surveillance of susceptible animals and epidemiological assessments, remaining vigilant for any changes, and will continue to work closely with key industry stakeholders to respond to developments and ensure that keepers have the information they need.