Bluetongue Decision Drives Forward Scottish Strategy

The order for twelve million doses of vaccine – enough for all of Scotland’s cattle and sheep - has been placed with the pharmaceutical company Merial. Deliveries are expected to start in August. Depending on disease developments in England, Scotland may choose to start its compulsory vaccination campaign in the winter. This is the time of year when lower temperatures ensure that the Bluetongue virus and the midges responsible for transmitting it to livestock are both inactive.

NFU Scotland Vice-president Nigel Miller said:

"The announcement that the Scottish Government has placed its order for vaccine now will give comfort to Scotland’s livestock farmers. It also allows for a flexible approach to disease control in Scotland.

“Vaccination is moving ahead at pace in England and Wales and Scottish livestock farmers are hugely reliant on that voluntary programme receiving the full backing of producers in those parts of GB that currently have access to vaccine stocks. Vaccination is the key tool in preventing the disease from getting a foothold in the UK in the next few months.

“Should the disease cross the Scottish border this summer then we now have the tools in place to react. If the disease’s progress is stalled by the vaccination campaign elsewhere in the country then Scottish vaccine stocks will be in place to allow a protective campaign this winter.”

TheCattleSite News Desk

Sign up for our
regular news updates

Latest Cattle Industry News

•   BSE NEWS: Variant More Virulent than Classical Form
•   BLUETONGUE: Dutch Opt for Voluntary Vaccination
•   Boosting the Bottom Beef Line
•   At One With Nature: Fonterra Commits to Environment
•   Keeping Afloat in the Turbulent UK Beef Market
•   Union Stops Chasing the Badger Cull
•   Dairy Demand Drops in Heat of Economy
•   Bid to Cut Emissions as Consumption Increases
•   Hong Kong Concerned with Beef Tampering
•   New Animal Health Lab Likely to be in Kansas
•   Voting Starts for Alpharma Video Contest
•   Violence in Pakistan Disrupts Milk Trade
•   Industry Veteran Joins Dairy Farmers Of America
•   CME: Live Cattle Futures Take Downward Path
•   The Changing Face of Bovine Ephemeral Fever