EU downgrades bluetongue risk but NFU urges caution

THERE was a general welcome yesterday from UK farming leaders to a move by Europe to downgrade the risk associated with the devastating livestock disease, bluetongue.

But linked to the welcome was a warning that livestock should not be imported into the UK during the summer months; the high-risk period for transmitting the disease.

NFU Scotland said the move to a Lower Risk Zone would go a long way to protecting Britain from strain 8 of the bluetongue virus through placing greater restrictions on affected countries.

The union also pointed out that the European decision, which takes effect from 12 June, will also move Britain one step closer to disease-free status.

Critically, the change in status does not affect the ability of cattle and sheep farmers in the UK to vaccinate, which the union continues to encourage.

Union vice-president Nigel Miller said it was important to remember that the disease was still circulating in parts of Europe and the danger period for getting the disease was from April through to November.

"In Scotland we remain disease-free, courtesy of a spectacularly high level of compliance with our compulsory vaccination programme last year.

"Recent imports of cattle to Scotland are a huge concern as veterinary advice puts importation as posing the greatest risk of introducing the disease.

However, Miller warned that while the LRZ status did offer a high degree of protection against bringing in the disease, no system was perfect and farmers should remain cautious.

He also highlighted the levels of surveillance by the respective administrations in Britain would continue. "This will allow us to react very quickly were we to find ourselves in the situation where bluetongue is once again found in livestock."

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment, urged all those involved in the industry to remain vigilant against signs of the illness, and continue to source livestock responsibly.

"Scotland has an excellent reputation for animal health and quality produce, the price of dropping our guard is simply too great," he said.

The move was also welcomed south of the Border by the Joint Action against Bluetongue group.

Under the new rules any bluetongue susceptible animals being imported from countries hit by BTV8 will have to meet more stringent conditions.

These extra conditions will result in animals either having to be vaccinated plus a 60-day wait, vaccinated plus a test 14 days after the onset of immunity or a booster vaccination within time period of immunity.

Farmers are also being urged to co-operate with Defra, which will carry out monthly surveillance and take blood samples from stock across the south of England.