Bluetongue vaccination programme compulsary in Scotland

by Amy Judd | November 5, 2008 at 10:15 am

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Scottish farmers will now be forced to vaccinate their sheep and cattle against the deadly bluetongue disease; the first compulsory vaccination programme in the UK.

England and Whales have already done this under voluntary measures, but the Scottish Government wants it to be compulsory.

Other animals can also be vaccinated if the farmers wish it - animals such as deer, goats, camels and llamas, but livestock are mandatory for now.

Richard Lochhead, Scottish Environment Secretary, said the decision has been taken in partnership with the industry and will ensure that there is sufficient uptake of vaccine to prevent the spread of the virus north of the border.

He said £2.6 million, half of the manufacturing costs of the vaccine, has been put towards helping farmers pay for the vaccine.

"The bluetongue virus poses a real, potentially devastating, threat to the Scottish livestock sector. A whole-scale compulsory vaccination programme is the only way to properly protect our industry," he said.

"Farming is the lifeblood of the rural economy and of rural communities. That is why we are doing all we can to support it though difficult times and to ensure our rural economy is well positioned for recovery.

"By paying half the manufacturing costs of the vaccine in the first year, the Scottish Government has taken a unique position in easing the financial impact on farmers.

"While the compulsory approach will ensure that all farm animals are protected against bluetongue, it is only one line of defence.

"It remains vitally important that care is taken in sourcing stock and that high risk areas are avoided."

Jim McLaren, president of NFU Scotland, welcomed the move.