BLUETONGUE VACCINATION: DISCUSSIONS WITH IAAS, 05 June 2008
Present:
Mike Lamont, Veterinary Division
Martyn Blissitt, Veterinary Division
Nia Ball, Animal Health and Welfare Division
Beverley Williams, Animal Health and Welfare Division
Robin Anderson, IAAS
John Gregor, IAAS
Alex Wilson, IAAS
Andrew Wright, IAAS
Introduction & current situation
1. The purpose of the meeting was to consider animal movement issues arising from plans to implement a compulsory bluetongue vaccination scheme in Scotland.
2. Mike Lamont opened the meeting with an outline of the current disease situation within Great Britain.
Vaccination in Scotland
3. Martyn Blissitt outlined predictions of likely levels of disease in GB this year, as forecast by the recent modelling and economic scenarios research project. The results of this work, which demonstrates the possible impacts of different disease and vaccination scenarios, will be presented at the forthcoming stakeholder meeting.
4. The Scottish Government is currently securing vaccine for use by keepers of susceptible animals in Scotland until the commercial market develops and will provide support of 50% of vaccine cost for the manufacturer (up to a maximum of £3 million). Martyn advised that tenders had been received and were being considered. A compulsory scheme is planned for the winter of 2008-9, during the next vector-free period ( VFP). The intention is to vaccinate all cattle and sheep not destined for slaughter before the end of the VFP. The date of commencement of the VFP will be guided by midge trapping and climate studies, and is likely to start in November/December.
5. When vaccination commences, there is a need for measures to be taken to make sure that keepers were ordering appropriate amounts of vaccine for their own animals and not selling on vaccine, and measures to collect accurate data on uptake.
IAAS concerns
6. Concerns were expressed over the potentially huge economic impact of a Protection Zone ( PZ), due to restrictions on animal movement between the PZ and neighbouring 'free area'.
7. The advantages to Scotland remaining a free area include remaining free of disease, as well as trade with Ireland and power to restrict imports from the BTVRZ. A disadvantage is not being able to accept animals from a PZ unless vaccinated 60 days beforehand (or tested negative 14 days (with PCR) or 35 days (with ELISA) post-vaccination).
8. Movement of animals during the VFP requires some thought, as during this time there will be a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated animals. One proposal for discussion was that free movement of all animals be allowed up until the end of January, after which all animals presented at marts should be accompanied by a farmer declaration of vaccination.
Practical issues related to sale or movement of vaccinated animals
9. Handling of vaccinated animals at markets once vaccination commences in Scotland was discussed. If a batch of stock for sale were vaccinated this would be announced (though this could get complicated if batches are split). A 'warranty' document of vaccination could be transferred from the seller to the buyer. There was some discussion on whether this should be regulated by the market and how, or whether they were private transactions between individual farmers. Doubt was expressed over whether this system would result in an auditable trail, especially for animals sold on more than once.
10. It was noted that there was no legal basis on which to enforce the use of warranties, and if this was desired it would have to be put in place by the markets. It was also noted that individual tag numbers are not recorded at markets which makes the use of warranties difficult and not a robust method of ensuring a compulsory scheme is being adhered to.
11. The PZ moving to the north of England and up to the Scottish border could create a number of difficulties for moving stock. A lack of demand for Scottish animals from farmers in the English/Welsh PZ may be experienced (because they will have to vaccinate them). A large number of livestock is taken from Scotland to marts in England and brought back if not sold. If the north of England is in a PZ the stock can still be taken from Scotland to the market but will not be able to move back into Scotland afterwards.
12. The timing of the English PZ being extended into the North of England was recognised as being critical regarding the Aug - Oct period when £8 to 10 million worth of store and breeding cattle from England are sold to Scottish farmers for fattening. If the PZ was extended up to the Scottish borders, all moves to Scotland would need to be planned 2 months in advance to allow vaccination plus 60 days, which is not considered realistic for store stock. Consideration is required of whether it would be beneficial in this instance to extend the PZ into Scotland as well to allow this trade. If these animals are not able to come to Scotland it will cause problems throughout the whole industry including the English industry who will have animals that they cannot sell. A small number of infected animals moving into a Scottish PZ may have less economic impact than preventing these sales. A solution may be to slow the extension of the PZ into the north of England if there is no disease seen in England by June-August.
Actions:
Andrew Wright to provide figures on the numbers of cattle sold at this time of year, produced by Stuart Ashworth ( QMS).
SG to discuss timing of movement of PZ into north of England with Defra.
IAAS to liaise with English colleagues re timing of PZ in north of England.
Any other business
13. The next stakeholder meeting will be held in the next few weeks to finalise arrangements for the roll-out of the vaccination campaign.
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
12 June 2008