Bluetongue is quiescent over the winter, when it is too cold for midges.

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And just a few days later, bluetongue, a disease of ruminants that is spread by midges, made its first British appearance.

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Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a species of midge and is most commonly seen in the late summer and autumn.

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The presence of bluetongue virus will not be confirmed in Scotland until there is sufficient evidence to show that the virus is circulating.

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Scotland open their tournament on Sunday against France at the Canberra Stadium before their second Group B match against Fiji at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford the following Wednesday.

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Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment said Scotland continued to be free of bluetongue disease but urged farmers to think carefully about where they import animals from.

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