Bluetongue vaccinations a must for Kelso

Jun 12 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

ALL rams attending this year’s Kelso sales in September must be vaccinated against bluetongue, the organisers have announced.

Declaration forms are being sent to all consignors in England, Scotland and Wales which must be handed in on arrival at the sale.

Rams without the form or a vet certificate showing the animal was vaccinated between September 11 last year and July 31 this year will not be admitted to the sale.

However, the rules are different for rams arriving from Northern Ireland. They must be vaccinated by the purchaser if they are remaining in Scotland for more than two weeks and those returning to Northern Ireland must also be inoculated before travelling again.

The strict rules are being enforced in order to meet current legislation.

The Dectomax Kelso Ram Sales take place on Friday, September 11. There has been a major ram sale in Kelso since the 1830s and the event now attracts 500-600 consignors from all over the UK and Ireland annually.

The sale has attracted overseas buyers from Holland and Germany in the last few years.