By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 09:13, Friday, 01 May 2009

INDUSTRY leaders are urging Cumbrian farmers to follow in the footsteps of those over the Border and vaccinate their animals against bluetongue.

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The calls follow yesterday’s deadline for all Scottish farmers to have their livestock protected against the virus. The compulsory scheme will have knock-on effects for Cumbria, where the vaccination programme is only voluntary.

Despite the rules being different in Scotland, the protection zone is the same – meaning that farmers on both sides can move stock across it.

Alistair Mackintosh, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) livestock board chairman, believes those farmers who have vaccinated will therefore be in a far better position than others.

He added that the vaccine costs around 55 pence per dose, so it makes good financial sense.

He said: “Effectively we are all within the same protection zone when it comes to movement of animals. If I’m planning on trading with Scotland it’s therefore within my best interests to vaccinate.

“When you have cattle worth £1,000 or sheep worth £100 surely it is worth your while to pay the 55 pence to protect them.

“There is no compensation for these diseases. Bluetongue can have devastating effects on sheep flocks and although cattle can recover, it takes time.”

There have been no confirmed cases of bluetongue in UK animals since early last year, though there have been a couple of cases in imported livestock. Mr Mackintosh said that when the outbreak emerged many farmers did not see the need to spend money on the vaccination, but that view has been changing as the benefits become apparent.

Mr Mackintosh said the biggest threat is posed by those animals being imported from countries without the same strict bluetongue controls. Although he is not calling on an outright ban on imports, he said he would condemn any animals being brought into the UK from known infected areas.

But he said that rather than risk animals coming into contact with the disease, it would be sensible to vaccinate.

He stressed that in England, Defra has not been proactively looking for bluetongue cases, and has instead been focusing on prevention. Although some in the industry want that to change, Mr Mackintosh said a screening programme would be costly and ultimately farmers would be left to foot the bill.

Instead he believes that farmers should take it upon themselves to vaccinate and help prevent any future outbreaks.

To date, he said, the voluntary programme appears to have worked well because supplies were made readily available and farmers have been able to administer it themselves, rather than having to bring in a state vet to supervise.

He said: “When it comes to the welfare of animals, farmers are more than capable of looking after them and administering the injections. It also means it can be done much faster.”

Mr Mackintosh also praised farmers in the south of England, where the bluetongue outbreak took hold, for acting swiftly to stop its spread and protect the rest of the UK.

Ultimately he said farmers now have the option to vaccinate and remove any worry.

“The Scots have gone down a different route. Vaccination in England has always been on a voluntary basis but I would urge everyone to get their animals vaccinated.

“We have an opportunity to protect ourselves.”

First published at 05:15, Friday, 01 May 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk