Written question WQ100562
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 13 days
Question
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the reasons for the rapid increase of bluetongue cases in Welsh livestock?
Declared interest
I am a partner in a family farming business.
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability (Llyr Gruffydd)
The increase in Bluetongue cases reflects the continued circulation of the virus in Great Britain, including overwintering of the disease and onward spread by infected biting midges during the active vector season. Higher temperatures have increased transmission by accelerating the virus incubation period in midges and relatively low levels of vaccine protection in Welsh livestock have also contributed to the rise in cases.
Vaccination remains the most effective tool available to reduce the impact of Bluetongue on livestock and farming businesses. Keepers are strongly encouraged to discuss vaccination with their veterinary surgeon now, to ensure better protection for the remainder of 2026 and for 2027.