‘Too little vaccine for stock at risk’

Apr 23 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

MORE bluetongue vaccine could be on the way to ensure the whole of England is covered, the National Farmers’ Union says.

The Government has so far ordered 22.5 million doses of vaccine for the BTV8 strain of the virus, including 20 million doses for England with another 2.5 million for Wales.

But the NFU has said this is not sufficient to cover all susceptible livestock in England and is meeting Defra officials to press them to order more.

It is feared the virus could return in the coming weeks as warmer weather brings the midges which carry the disease out of hibernation.

NFU head of food and farming Kevin Pearce said: “Discussions are going on with ministers about ordering additional vaccine. We need another eight million doses to complete vaccination in England and I am hopeful we will see some positive results on that soon. I think we have a very good case.

“At least five million doses will be available by the end of May, a situation which would exceed our expectations. Production of the vaccine has gone well.”

The delivery of the vaccine will enable a quick start to the vaccination programme and give the industry a good chance against the virus.

Vaccinations are to be rolled out county by county, with the eastern counties most affected last year – Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, Essex and Sussex – likely to receive priority and the North East coming near the bottom of the list.

Mr Pearce said the major challenge of the NFU was to persuade farmers of the need for 100% coverage of susceptible livestock.