Major vaccination programme begins

10:21am Thursday 15th May 2008

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A MAJOR vaccination programme has started in north Essex a bid to control the bluetongue virus.

Three million vaccinations have been allocated to the region by the Government and early indications are that 90 per cent of farmers are taking up the chance to vaccinate their animals.

Last year Essex suffered a double whammy of restrictions on the movement of animals triggered by outbreaks of foot-and-mouth and bluetongue diseases.

The Government last year bought 22.5 million doses of the bluetongue vaccine and has now ordered a further 13 million.

Distribution has now started and farmers have this week started the vaccination programme of their animals.

The Anglian region - which includes Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent - is the first area to receive an allocation as it is deemed to be a protection zone.

Tony Evans, who is on the NFU Regional Livestock Board and farms at Bures, said: "Three areas of England are protection zones because we have had bluetongue in the past.

"The Government was the first to buy the vaccine in Europe and we understand about 90 per cent of farmers are vaccinating their animals.

"I am thrilled to bits at the positive attitude. People realise the implications of how serious the disease is and are vaccinating."

Mr Evans has vaccinated his 300 cattle and said the cost of the vaccine outweighed the potential loss of income if his cattle contracted the disease.

Animals with bluetongue can still be sold at market as the disease does not go into the food chain.

However, the animals do not do as well and bulls and rams can become infertile.

The disease is spread by midges but does not pass from one animal to another and only affects ruminants - cattles, sheep, llamas, goats and deer.

Earlier this year, Conservative MEP Robert Sturdy called for a vaccination programme to be introduced as the only way to combat bluetongue.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "I am pleased with the very high demand for vaccine in the first week of vaccination.

"The farming industry faces a real threat from bluetongue. The best way for farmers to protect their animals and their pockets is to vaccinate all susceptible animals."