Bluetongue restrictions extended across Scotland amid record UK outbreak

Scotland extended its bluetongue restriction zone to cover the whole country as Britain faces its worst season of the livestock virus on record.

• Scotland extended restrictions to cover the entire country, aligning with England and Wales under one disease status.
• Defra has recorded 2,201 cases this season, which runs from July 2026, exceeding the past three seasons combined.
• Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said the extension allows uninfected stock to move freely without individual licences.
• Farmers Union vice-president Robyn Munt said obtaining vaccines has been "really challenging" for farmers.