Scottish Farmers on Alert as Bluetongue Rules Hit Livestock Movement

2 June 2026
Scotland has not recorded bluetongue through current surveillance, but Great Britain is no longer classed as free from the disease. New movement controls now affect farmers bringing cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas into Scotland from restricted zones, with wider consequences for livestock trading, breeding and farm planning. Scottish farmers are facing renewed livestock movement controls after updated Scottish Government guidance confirmed that Great Britain is no longer bluetongue free. Surveillance indicates that bluetongue has not reached Scotland, but the disease has been

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Modern Scot focuses on clear, factual reporting and analysis of Scotland’s civic, cultural, economic and environmental life.

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