LANCASHIRE farmers were relieved yesterday when tests for a suspected outbreak of the bluetongue virus came back negative.
The analysis was carried out after initial routine tests for the disease proved inconclusive, sparking concern there may be new cases on farms in Greater Manchester and Shropshire.
That would have meant animal movement restrictions could have been imposed, which would possibly have affected Lancashire.
Bluetongue is a disease spread by midges and causes the tongue and lips of the infected animal to swell, often making them appear blue.
It cannot be contracted by pigs, horses or humans.
A Defra spokeswoman said: "We have had final negative results on both of them."
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