West Wales farmers are urged to attend Bluetongue meeting
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will host the meeting at Carmarthen Livestock Mart on Thursday, August 27. The event is intended to give levy payers access to specialists from across the livestock industry, along with practical information and support on Bluetongue virus.
The board said the highest point of this year’s outbreak has not yet been reached. Dr Mandy Nevel, AHDB’s head of animal health and welfare, said disease pressure could reach its peak in September. She said the outbreak was affecting livestock systems across the country rather than remaining a distant concern for farmers.
Nevel described vaccination as “the single most effective tool available” for protecting animals at risk. She also acknowledged difficulties with vaccine availability, saying demand had risen sharply as the outbreak expanded and had put pressure on the supply chain. Her stated message was that it was still not too late to vaccinate.
AHDB’s Bluetongue tracker listed 456 confirmed BTV-3 cases in the UK during the 2026-27 season as of August 17. England accounted for 439 cases, with Devon, Cornwall and Somerset the most affected areas. Confirmed infections had also been reported in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and East Riding of Yorkshire. Scotland had four confirmed cases, while Wales had 13.
Paul Flanagan, AHDB’s dairy director, said the disease did not follow national or county boundaries. He said AHDB was working with industry partners, including Hybu Cig Cymru and NFU Cymru, in support of Welsh sheep, beef and dairy farmers. Flanagan advised farmers to consult their vets, vaccinate livestock if they had not already done so and seek information before clinical signs appeared.
Jamie McCoy, AHDB’s head of dairy engagement, said the Carmarthen event was being held to answer farmers’ questions about the virus and to provide practical guidance. Farmers can also contact the AHDB Bluetongue virus hotline on 0247 771 0386, which operates from 09:00 to 17:00 BST, Monday to Friday. Those wishing to attend must register their interest through the AHDB events website. Places are limited, and the board said demand was expected to be high.
