New movement restrictions and testing regime come into force from June 20

PEMBROKESHIRE livestock keepers are being urged to prepare for imminent changes to Bluetongue virus (BTV) control measures as Welsh Government updates its policy to prevent further spread of the disease.

From Thursday, June 20, any cattle, sheep, goats, deer, llamas or alpacas being moved into Wales from a Bluetongue Restricted Zone will require:

A specific movement licence (available on gov.uk)

A valid pre-movement test, at the owner’s expense

Animals showing clinical signs of illness on the day of travel must not be moved into Wales.

To allow time for preparation, exemptions to pre-movement testing have been extended until Wednesday, June 19. After that date, the new rules will be strictly enforced.

Additional temporary measures introduced during the low vector season remain in place until July 1, including:

No requirement to use insecticides at approved markets, abattoirs, or in livestock transport

No requirement for slaughterhouses to be designated for Restricted Zone intake

However, from July 1, the Bluetongue Restricted Zone will expand to cover all of England, significantly increasing the number of animals subject to movement controls.

What is Bluetongue?

Bluetongue is a viral disease primarily affecting ruminants and camelids. It is spread by certain types of biting midges (Culicoides species), which are active in the UK from April to November.

Animals may be infected and contagious without showing symptoms — particularly adult cattle, which can carry the virus for weeks.

Clinical signs in sheep may include:

• Mouth and nose ulcers
• Eye and nasal discharge
• Drooling
• Swelling of lips, tongue, head, neck, and hooves
• Lameness, breathing issues, fever, and sometimes death

In cattle, signs include:

• Fatigue and loss of appetite
• Crusting and redness around the muzzle and nostrils
• Reduced milk yield and abortions
• Nasal discharge and erosions on teats

In pregnant animals, BTV can cause miscarriage, deformities, blindness, or death of newborn calves.

Controlling the spread

The Bluetongue virus can be transmitted through:

• Infected midges
• Infected animals (including imports)
• Contaminated biological materials (blood, semen, embryos)

Livestock keepers are advised to:

• Source animals responsibly
• Monitor livestock closely
• Use insect-proof housing, particularly at dawn and dusk
• Maintain high standards of biosecurity and hygiene

Vaccination

Three BTV-3 vaccines are permitted for use in the UK. Two are authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate; a third may only be used under licence. All vaccination must comply with current licensing rules.

More information is available at: Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination – gov.uk

Tracing and licensing

All livestock must be registered and traceable. If you’re planning to move animals into or out of a Bluetongue-affected area, you must check if a movement licence is required.

Animal keepers should consult their vet before importing animals or biological products from any country with a known or suspected Bluetongue risk.

Report suspected cases

If you suspect Bluetongue:

📞 Call APHA immediately on 0300 303 8268

An APHA vet will investigate and confirm suspected cases.

For local advice, contact Pembrokeshire County Council’s Animal Welfare Team at:
📧 [email protected]

Coleg Sir Gâr offers businesses the tools to meet sustainability targets

WELSH employers are being urged to act quickly to secure a place on a fully funded apprenticeship scheme designed to equip staff with the green skills needed to cut energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and meet net zero targets.

Coleg Sir Gâr has issued a final call for applications to its Level 3 Energy and Carbon Management Apprenticeship, part of its Green Skills Academy. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, 20 June, with limited places available due to high demand from businesses across the region.

The 18-month, part-time course is suitable for new recruits and current staff, offering a mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning. Apprentices attend in-person training just two days per month, making it easy to fit around regular duties.

Open to anyone over 18 living in Wales who is employed and not enrolled in another funded full-time course, the programme is fully funded for eligible applicants.

Jemma Parsons, Head of the Green Skills Academy, said: “The level of interest we’ve seen shows that Welsh employers understand the need to upskill their teams in energy and carbon management. This apprenticeship provides a vital opportunity to future-proof organisations, reduce costs, and build meaningful sustainability credentials.”

Organisations already signed up include Carmarthenshire County Council, Axium Process Ltd, LBS Builders Merchants, and Barcud.

Rhodri Griffiths, Head of Place and Sustainability at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “We’re committed to tackling the climate emergency. This apprenticeship equips our employees with practical skills to reduce energy use and support our wider sustainability goals. It’s a key part of our response to climate change and helps us build a greener future for the county.”

The course strengthens participants’ ability to demonstrate environmental compliance, boost in-house expertise, and improve standing in procurement and supply chains. It forms part of Wales’ broader strategy to become a leader in energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

To register your interest or learn more, contact the Green Skills Academy at [email protected] or visit csgcc.ac.uk.

Thousands of children now waiting for assessments as paediatricians warn of crisis in community care

THE NUMBER of children waiting for Autism and ADHD assessments in west Wales has soared by hundreds of percent, with clinicians warning that delays are placing vulnerable children at risk and stretching public services to the limit.

Figures released by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) show that since 2018, the number of children in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area waiting for an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment has increased by 781%. ADHD referrals have also risen dramatically — up by 331% over the same period.

Waiting lists for general community paediatric services in Hywel Dda have also risen, though more modestly, increasing by 4.1% from 1,477 in 2018 to 1,538 in 2025.

The data, published this week in the RCPCH’s report Collaborative Healthcare in Wales: Delivering the Services Children Need in the Community, highlights a worsening picture for families across west Wales. It also shows that the scale of the crisis is not limited to one area.

In neighbouring Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, the number of under-18s waiting for neurodevelopmental services rose from 2,173 in 2023 to 3,391 by January this year — a rise of more than 56% in just two years.

Community paediatricians, who lead services supporting children with complex medical and developmental needs, are sounding the alarm. They warn that a chronic lack of funding, staff shortages, and rising demand have pushed services beyond safe capacity.

Across Wales, thousands of children are now on waiting lists for vital care delivered outside of hospitals — including assessments for autism, ADHD, and speech and language difficulties. These services are typically delivered in clinics, schools and local hubs, aiming to support children earlier and closer to home.

In some parts of Wales, demand has more than doubled in the past five years:

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board saw a 1016% increase in community paediatric waiting lists, from 805 in 2018 to 8,986 in 2025.

Cardiff and Vale reported a 302% increase in waiting lists alongside an 8% drop in paediatricians.

Swansea Bay’s waiting list rose 112% since 2020, with average wait times now 80 weeks.

Powys reported a 112% rise in neurodevelopmental service referrals since 2022, with just three community paediatricians covering the entire county.

The RCPCH has called on the Welsh Government to urgently prioritise investment in children’s health services. It says the aim of delivering care closer to home is being undermined by long waits, inconsistent access, and a growing gap between policy and practice.

The report also highlights wider systemic problems — including poor transitions from children’s to adult services, an over-reliance on formal assessments, and increasing pressure on families forced to navigate fragmented services without support.

Doctors have warned that without urgent action, the impact on children’s lives — including their mental health, education, and future wellbeing — will be severe. The report notes that children with unmet health needs often face long-term disadvantages, with serious consequences for wider society and public finances.

The RCPCH says the system must move away from reliance on goodwill from overstretched NHS staff and invest in early intervention, better staffing, and coordinated support across services.