Scottish bluetongue row as England starts vaccinating

Published on Thursday 1 May 2008 22:14

BLUETONGUE vaccination began yesterday on several farms in East Anglia – a wise move, in the view of many livestock farmers.

Bluetongue, a viral disease spread by midges, until recently was confined to southern Europe. There is no threat to humans, but the damage to cattle, in deaths and loss of productivity can be high.

Scotland has avoided bluetongue. The Scottish Government has ordered a substantial quantity of vaccine, which will only be used in late autumn in accordance with veterinary advice.

Earlier this week the Scottish region of the National Beef Association (NBA) argued that Scotland should adopt a pre-emptive approach and start vaccination in early summer.

But John Cameron, president of the Scottish Beef Cattle Association (SBCA), which broke away from the NBA over two years ago, said: "It is disappointing that after the Scottish cattle industry reached a unanimous strategy position on bluetongue that there is some thinking – clearly driven by sources south of the Border – that Scotland should seek a voluntary derogation on vaccination while we remain in a 'BT-free zone'.

"If only a few herds in Scotland were vaccinated, that could subsequently result in a major outbreak of BT caused by cattle from Europe whose history might be regarded as doubtful."

The wait-and-see policy favoured by farmers is fully supported by the Scottish government. Richard Lochhead, the secretary for rural affairs, has promised to pay 50 per cent of the cost of a compulsory vaccination programme. Defra has given no such pledge.

Cameron said: "There is sufficient flexibility in the timing of the Scottish proposals to allow for changing developments in the south, should they arise."

It is feared some Scottish farmers may buy vaccine in England. They could face a fine of up to 5,000, or jail.