BLUETONGUE – Malcolm Corbett

THE threat posed by bluetongue – the midge-borne virus that has wreaked havoc among livestock in parts of Europe – has not disappeared.

High numbers of farmers vaccinated their stock in 2008 when the risk of animals contracting the disease was considered high but this year, fewer have bothered despite a widespread campaign.

Defra announced last month it was selling off its remaining vaccine stocks at half price before it went out of date and left the taxpayer with a bill for £3.3m.

Otterburn farmer and NFU North East livestock representative Malcolm Corbett says last year’s high vaccination take-up kept the UK bluetongue-free – but there is no room for complacency.

"It doesn’t mean the threat has diminished, they still have bluetongue on the Continent," he said.

"We vaccinated last September and we will vaccinate again this September. I know the devastation this has caused on the Continent and it’s a cheap insurance policy.

"The fact bluetongue didn’t come in last year and we haven’t seen it in the North means there are farmers out there who see the cost of the vaccination as one they can side step. If we only we could have stopped foot-and-mouth in 2001 as easily."

He warned that the threat would continue until the disease was eradicated and added his backing to the voluntary ban on importing susceptible stock from Europe.

"I would encourage farmers who are thinking about importing cows from the Continent not to do so," said Mr Corbett. "I would encourage farmers to show good vigilance – that’s not taking any risks whatsoever, despite these cattle being tested as not bluetongue-infected. No system is foolproof."