Angela MillerLooking over my channel and reminiscing... this was quite the shoot.....
YouTube
Stan CareyNothing I watch this Halloween can compare with these lines about midges I just read in Jane Powers's "An Irish Nature Year"
EditorBluetongue control zone declared in Wales after four cases confirmed
The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Richard Irvine, confirmed that a farm near Chepstow in Monmouthshire has active midge‑borne transmission of the disease. Further cases have since been identified at two premises in Powys, near Llangammarch Wells and Gladestry.
The affected cattle are being culled in line with the UK’s Bluetongue control strategy, and restrictions remain in place on the farms. A Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) has been introduced around the Monmouthshire premises to limit livestock movements and allow further surveillance.
What is Bluetongue?
Bluetongue is a viral disease spread mainly by biting midges. It affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer, as well as camelids including alpacas and llamas.
- It does not affect people or food safety.
- Symptoms can include fever, lesions, redness of the mouth and nose, excessive salivation and nasal discharge, though some animals show no signs.
Control zone declared after Monmouthshire outbreak
CVO Richard Irvine said the TCZ was necessary because there was “clear evidence of active midge‑borne transmission” at the Monmouthshire farm.
“Vaccination is the best way to protect livestock and livelihoods from the worst impacts of this potentially devastating disease,” he said. “I urge animal keepers to discuss Bluetongue vaccination with their vet now.”
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Huw Irranca‑Davies added:
“Our success to this point has been crucial in buying our farmers the time they needed to vaccinate their animals and prepare for Bluetongue. Everyone needs to now play their part and help manage where Bluetongue disease is appearing.”
Farmers warn of financial hit from livestock restrictions
The Welsh Conservatives criticised the Labour Government’s handling of the outbreak. Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Samuel Kurtz MS said farmers were already facing “significant financial losses” from movement restrictions and called for urgent financial support.
“Now is the time for practical action and for government to stand alongside our farmers,” he said.
Union urges vigilance and vaccination after first Welsh cases
NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader said the confirmation of four cases was “a concern to livestock keepers but not surprising” given the spread across the border.
She urged farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 0300 303 8268, and to discuss vaccination with their vets.
At a glance: Bluetongue in Wales
- 📍 Cases confirmed: 1 in Monmouthshire, 2 in Powys
- 🐄 Animals affected: Cattle (culled under control strategy)
- 🦟 Transmission: Mainly via biting midges
- 👩⚕️ Advice: Farmers urged to vaccinate and report suspected cases
- 🚫 Impact on people: No risk to humans or food safety
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Cattle movements into Wales halved after Bluetongue rules
Senedd Member warns restrictions are “strangling” the cattle trade as new licensing rules take effect.
FUW honours Carmarthenshire farmer for innovation
John Owen recognised at the Royal Welsh Show for decades of pioneering work in agriculture.
New recycling scheme tackles farm plastic pollution
Trial project aims to recycle 200 tonnes of agri‑plastics from river catchments across south Wales.
Welsh Government launches £33m support for farmers
Ministers unveil transition funding and tools ahead of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026.
#Bluetongue #BluetongueTransmission #BTV3 #cattle #ChiefVeterinaryOfficer #cows #DrRichardIrvine #Farming #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #midges #NFUCymru #ruralAffairs #TemporaryControlZone
UnitedWeStand🇪🇺🌻🫂Ich habe eben erst gelernt wie übel das in #Schottland mit den #Midges ist...
CharrveinIncredible density of midges
Mývatn experiences á midge Bloom this summer
It has boom n bust dynamics
And this is a unique abundance
See video in link
picture from RUV
#biodiversity #midges #myvatn #bigbloom #ruv
https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2025-08-13-mesta-my-sem-sest-hefur-i-aratugi-sumir-flyja-undan-thessu-en-thetta-er-alveg-meinlaust-450846
Mesta mý sem sést hefur í áratugi – „Sumir flýja undan þessu, en þetta er alveg meinlaust“ - RÚV.is
Mývatn hefur borið nafn með rentu í sumar, vísindamenn telja sig ekki hafa séð eins mikið af flugu á vatninu í áratugi. Líffræðingar segja það hafa verið einstaka upplifun að sigla innan um dimma stróka af mýi.
AlisonCorfieldSome thumbnail sketches today in my sketchbook. Had to work very fast as the midges were biting this afternoon. And two of my pens ran out of ink. #Stone #walls #dailysketchbook #pixelfedart #penartwork #midges #scotland
schneckenhausIm Sommer tanzen dichte Mückenschwärme über dem Mývatn. Die Mücken (hauptsächlich Zuckmücken, Mývatn bedeutet „Mückensee“) sind zwar lästig, aber ein wichtiger Teil des Ökosystems. Sie dienen als Nahrung für viele Vogelarten und tragen zur Artenvielfalt bei. Die Schwärme können im Gegenlicht fast wie Nebel wirken.
06.07.2025, #Iceland #NorthIceland #Myvatn #midges [1]
06.07.2025, #Iceland #NorthIceland #Myvatn #midges [1]
Rí Rua 
David O'BrienThat's a thing here in #Scotland too, though here it's supposed to repel #midges – a kind of miniaturised stealth bomber mosquito.
I suspect in both bases it's bollocks.
CheekyMcBI have now reached the “needs insect repellent” stage of being an Adult Volunteer in Scouting.
Those of you regular followers will be like “hang on, you’re in Scotland, you must have some experience with midges already?!”
Not knowingly. Though I can often be found outdoors, it’s not really been in areas where they are prevalent.
I’m going to an event soon where head nets and repellent are on the kit list.
So, recommendations for midge repellent please!
⚜️