GovWire

If you keep bluetongue-susceptible livestock (ruminants or camelids) and you intend to use them either for natural service or for germinal product collection, you should consider voluntarily testing these animals to demonstrate they remain free from bluetongue disease.

This is most relevant if you are in one of the high-risk counties in the east and south-east of England. However, all livestock keepers should consider voluntary testing of donor animals.

Types of testing

To provide an indication of the health status of your animals being used for natural service or for germinal product collection, we recommend one of the following testing regime options.

PCR test

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test completed:

• within 10 days before the natural service or the collection day (including the day of collection) and
• between 6 full days and 28 days after the natural service or collection

We recommend negative results are obtained from the pre-collection test before germinal product is used or the animal is naturally served.

ELISA test

An ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test completed between 28 and 60 days after the natural service or collection.

Carrying out the testing

To complete this testing, a private veterinary surgeon needs to complete a sample submission form from The Pirbright Institute, selecting either RT-PCR or ELISA testing for bluetongue virus and specify whether the samples are for pre- or post-service or collection (or both) testing.

They must enclose a copy of the sample submission form with the samples.

The samples must be packaged in a way to prevent leakage and ensure they are labelled with the correct information. The current commercial testing rate per sample at Pirbright is 48 for a PCR and 26.50 for an ELISA.

Download the form, further packing details and more information (The Pirbright Institute).

Under certain circumstances, you may qualify for a free PCR test if you are moving animals out of the high-risk counties in the east and south-east of England.

You should send samples by post or courier to:

Under certain circumstances, you may qualify for a free PCR test if you are moving animals out of the high-risk counties in the east and southeast of England.