Guidance

Bluetongue virus (BTV) vaccination recording privacy notice

Updated 27 February 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bluetongue-virus-btv-vaccination-recording-privacy-notice/bluetongue-virus-btv-vaccination-recording-privacy-notice

This privacy notice explains how we process your personal data when recording Bluetongue virus (BTV) vaccinations. If you have any queries about the content of this privacy notice, email btv3vaccination@defra.gov.uk. 

1. Who collects your personal data 

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the controller for the personal data we collect: 

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
Seacole Building 
2 Marsham Street 
London 
SW1P 4DF 

If you need further information about how Defra uses your personal data and your associated rights you can email the Defra data protection manager: data.protection@defra.gov.uk

The data protection officer for Defra is responsible for checking that Defra complies with legislation, email: DefraGroupDataProtectionOfficer@defra.gov.uk

2. What personal data we collect and how it is used 

We collect your: 

  • contact details 
  • county parish holding (CPH) number  
  • livestock information 
  • veterinary practice information (if applicable) 

3. Reasons for collecting your personal data: 

We use this personal data:

  • to report on BTV vaccination activity in line with general licence EXD568(BT)(E) Condition 3 
  • to monitor vaccination uptake 
  • for annual surveillance purposes 
  • to track vaccinated animals for any adverse reactions 
  • for potential mergers with the Livestock Information and Traceability Program (LITP) 
  • to make sure compliance with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards
  • to maintain an understanding of vaccination status of animals following moves between owners

4. Lawful basis for processing your personal data  

The lawful basis for processing your personal data is that it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest under Regulation 19(1) of The Bluetongue Regulations 2008 to issue a specific or general licence. 

This form is for fulfilling your legal requirement to report on BTV vaccination activity in line with general licence EXD568(BT)(E) Condition 3.  

The processing of your personal data is not based on consent. You cannot withdraw it. 

6. Who we share your personal data with 

We may share the personal data collected under this privacy notice with the: 

  • Rural Payments Agency (RPA) for the potential integration into the Livestock Information Transformation Programme to record vaccinations 
  • Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for the potential integration into APHA’s systems to record vaccinations
  • Welsh Government for the potential integration into Welsh Government systems to record vaccinations

We respect your personal privacy when responding to access to information requests. We only share information when necessary to meet the statutory requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 

7. How long we hold personal data 

We will keep your personal data for seven years from the date it is saved (or last modified).  

8. What happens if you do not provide the personal data 

Failure to provide the required personal data will:

  • result in a breach of General Licence EXD568(BT)(E), Condition 3 - for more information read the general licence  
  • prevent you from contributing to disease control

9. Use of automated decision-making or profiling 

The personal data you provide is not used for: 

  • automated decision making (making a decision by automated means without any human involvement) 
  • profiling (automated processing of personal data to evaluate certain things about an individual) 

10. Transfer of your personal data outside of the UK 

We will only transfer your personal data to another country that is deemed adequate for data protection purposes. 

11. Your rights 

Based on the lawful processing above, your individual rights are the: 

Read about your rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling.

12. Complaints 

You have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office at any time. 

13. Personal information charter 

Our personal information charter explains more about your rights over your personal data.

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