FARMERS in East Lancashire are breathing a sigh of relief after the livestock industry avoided going into lockdown in the wake of the latest Bluetongue outbreak.

It is understood the Government will not impose movement restrictions on animals across Lancashire following the discovery of the Serotype One (BTv1) strain of Bluetongue at a Blackpool farm.

Defra said there was no evidence the strain was circulating in the UK so they did not need any control zones.

There is no available vaccine for this strain of the disease which is thought to have been brought in to the UK amongst a batch of imported cattle from south west France.

Rose Dinsdale, manager at Clitheroe Auction Mart, said movement restrictions would have been devastating in the run up to the Christmas sales period.

She said: “If there was any kind of outbreak it would have a major impact on that trade.

"Imported animals are meant to go through tests so it’s a worry if they have managed to get through that.

“There isn’t much midge activity because of the colder weather so hopefully the disease won’t have spread.”

Bluetongue is spread by midges and infects the tongue and mouth of sheep and cows. It is not contagious to humans.

The run up to Christmas is a major part of the sales calendar for farmers with many auctions staging special shows and sales.

They offer farmers the chance to cash in on interest from butchers and others buyers looking for the best animals to meet increased demand during the festive period.