Vigilance and vaccination remain key to keeping British livestock free from bluetongue.
That’s the message from the national JAB campaign group ahead of its 2010 drive to ensure farmers protect their animals against the disease.
The campaign group has stressed that bluetongue is still causing major problems across Europe and farmers in England and Wales face a very real threat of incursions.
Farmers are urged to keep their guard up and continue with vaccination as part of their regular flock or herd plan – and help ensure England achieves the disease-free status which will be attained with a second straight year free of bluetongue.
There was some additional good news today with the results of new research from the Institute for Animal Health. For the first time it has been shown that lambs born to ewes vaccinated twice against BT8 (the second shot being a booster one month before lambing) are protected against the disease for at least 14 weeks – the age at which many lambs go for slaughter.
In a joint statement JAB said: “We are proud of our success so far in keeping this disease at bay. We are hopeful, that with continued vaccination and vigilance, we can keep bluetongue out of the country.
“However there is no room for complacency now is the time to ensure cattle and sheep are protected as an outbreak of bluetongue can have a potentially devastating impact on the economic viability of a livestock farm.
“The disease is still prevalent in Europe with more than 700 cases reported last year. Anyone importing animals needs to double check the health and vaccination status of their livestock to ensure we keep the disease out. We can not afford to rest on our laurels; vigilance and continued vaccination is key.”
Visit the NFUonline Bluetongue channel here.
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