Miller issues Smallenberg virus warning

European attitudes to the sheep industry may hamper attempts to deal properly with the Smallenberg virus (SBV), which causes deformities in newborn calves and lambs, according to Nigel Miller, National Farmers Union of Scotland president.

Speaking on his return from a scientific seminar in Brussels, Miller who is also a qualified vet, said the problem was that, in the terms of European Union agriculture, the sheep industry was seen as a minor sector.

“Clearly, they don’t see the sheep sector as hugely important within Europe and, to date, problems with Smallenberg seem to be lower in the dairy and beef sectors.”

Miller maintained that for Scotland and northern regions of Europe, the disease could still be very significant. This was in contrast to the commission view that SBV it was not of enough economic importance to prioritise it as an animal health issue.

The commission is not proposing there be any emergency authorisation to support vaccine development, even though that may be a key tool for fringe regions such as Scotland.

Research funding will, however, continue as it is important to assess the risk status of semen and embryos. This is an important area if normal export access is to be achieved. Miller hoped antibody tests would be available within months as that would be an important step towards controlling the disease.

Research work has confirmed that Scotland is outwith the comfort zone of the midges that transmit the disease. Miller said that initially might seem to be good news. “Sadly, that isn’t the case. Where the disease is endemic, exposure rates are so high that animals are likely to become immune before breeding age and the worst impacts of the disease – the deformities, abortions or infertility – disappear.

“On the fringes of endemic regions, disease comes in periodically because of animal movements or a suitable window of weather. The virus gets into a naive population and causes real problems. That cycle has the potential to repeat itself, periodically creating waves of disease and economic loss.

“Scotland – on the northern edge of Europe – is vulnerable to those shocks should Schmallenberg establish in mainland Europe. With April snow, it seems a long way from warm days and midges, but we are now entering the vector active period.

“Any imports carrying the virus can seed this disease into Scotland, and there is the potential for real damage.”

He called for caution over the next few months as it was vital to understand more about the disease and gain the diagnostic tools to minimise the risks.