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Preventing the spread of bluetongue
03/11/2008
A vaccination programme to immunise all susceptible farm livestock against the bluetongue virus was launched today.
Scotland is the only part of the UK to implement a compulsory vaccination programme of cattle and sheep.
The decision has been taken in partnership with the industry and will ensure that there is sufficient uptake of vaccine to prevent the spread of Bluetongue 8 in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is also recommending that other susceptible animals - deer, goats, camelids (camels, llamas and alpacas) and other exotic animals kept in zoos and wildlife collections - are vaccinated, though this is voluntary.
Half of the manufacturing costs of the vaccine (£2.6 million) has been paid by the Government for the first year of the vaccination programme.
Launching the programme, Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environmentsaid:
"The bluetongue virus poses a real, potentially devastating, threat to the Scottish livestock sector. A whole-scale compulsory vaccination programme is the only way to properly protect our industry.
"Farming is the lifeblood of the rural economy and of rural communities. That is why we are doing all we can to support it though difficult times and to ensure our rural economy is well positioned for recovery.
"By paying half the manufacturing costs of the vaccine in the first year, the Scottish Government has taken a unique position in easing the financial impact on farmers.
"While the compulsory approach will ensure that all farm animals are protected against bluetongue, it is only one line of defence.
"It remains vitally important that care is taken in sourcing stock and that high risk areas are avoided."
NFU Scotland President, Jim McLaren, said:
"It remains a major disappointment to Scotland's farmers that control policies elsewhere in Europe have failed to curb the threat that bluetongue disease poses to our lifeline livestock sector.
"Industry stakeholders have agreed that compulsory vaccination now presents the best option to protect our livestock against this devastating disease.
"We have a window of opportunity between now and the end of April to put that protection in place and we would urge all producers to take the time to discuss their vaccine requirements and vaccination timing with their vet."
A compulsory vaccination programme was agreed by industry and stakeholders in September.2. The Scottish Government has worked in full cooperation with stakeholder groups including NFU Scotland, the National Beef Association, Scottish Beef Cattle Association, National Sheep Association and the Scottish Agricultural College, to hold a series of farmers meetings across Scotland in November and December.
Advice on the vaccination programme and the use of the Merial vaccine is available to farmers by contacting their area animal health office.