INFORMATION
Vaccination of sheep and cattle against BTV8 is compulsory in Scotland, except for a few specified exemptions. All existing animals subject to compulsory requirements must be vaccinated between 3rd November and 30 April 2009 and there will be an ongoing requirement to re-vaccinate these animals annually and to ensure that any animals reaching 3 months or being purchased after this time are also vaccinated.
It is the purchaser’s responsibility to establish the vaccination status of any animals that they buy. Purchasers will be required to vaccinate any sheep and cattle that have not previously been vaccinated, or for which the vaccination status is not known.
Purpose of the document
The Scottish Bluetongue Vaccination Declaration serves two purposes:
1. To deliver management information about the bluetongue vaccination history of traded animals to the new keeper/owner.
2. To verify the bluetongue vaccination status of the animal, or batch of animals, through a signed declaration. A completed declaration may contribute towards evidence of compliance with the Scottish Compulsory Vaccination Programme.
Please note: Export outwith a BTV8 protection zone will require veterinary certification. The Scottish Bluetongue Vaccination Declaration should not be used for this purpose.
Completing the document
The bluetongue vaccination declaration is to be completed by producers selling vaccinated or partially vaccinated stock before 30th April 2009. The form should accompany animals to sale enabling them to be sold as ‘declared vaccinated’ or ‘partially vaccinated’. This takes account of the fact that until 30th April 2008, animals changing hands within Scotland may be vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated (in which case no declaration is required). After 30th April, all animals over 3 months old must be vaccinated before they can move off a holding; the declaration will be adjusted to reflect this.
Private sales
The declaration should accompany the animal or animals providing the purchaser with details and dates of vaccination.
Auction sales
The declaration should be presented to the auctioneer prior to the sale. The animals will be sold as declared vaccinated with the sales receipt confirming this. The declaration will remain in the market records but purchasers may request a copy of the declaration and will be able to request the dates and details of vaccinations.
Some centres or sales may handle the declaration differently. If in doubt please contact your selling agent.
NB - Where sheep and cattle subject to compulsory vaccination requirements are found to be unvaccinated after 30 April 2009 producers can face a penalty of a fine up to £5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment.
Blue Tongue Vaccination Declaration Form
