The European Commission has been informed of an outbreak of bluetongue in France, close to the border with Belgium. The virus was confirmed in cattle in the Ardennes region, within the 150km restriction zone already set up in response to outbreaks in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

The French authorities have established a 20km protection zone around the outbreak, in which a movement ban will apply to all ruminants, other than those who have received veterinary approval for transport for direct slaughter or to another holding within the restriction zone.

The Commission will meet with the chief veterinary officers of the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg on September 1, to ensure a fully coordinated response to the bluetongue situation.