Livestock birth defect disease arrives in Scotland

FARMERS have been alerted to the arrival in Scotland of a disease which causes severe birth defects in livestock.

Eight cows in Dumfries and Galloway tested positive for Schmallenberg virus (SBV) antibodies, indicating exposure last year. It is spread by midges.

A small number of animals recently moved to Scotland tested positive for SBV but the eight Dumfries and Galloway animals were all home-bred, and appear to have been infected here. They are part of a 160-strong dairy herd at Barony campus of Scotland’s Rural College. A spokesman said: “Any farmers who encounter in livestock foetal abnormalities, stillbirths or newborns with signs of nervous disease should contact their vet.”