Farmers urged to vaccinate as bluetongue spreads

Farmers across the South East must vaccinate their animals against the potentially fatal bluetongue "as soon as possible", the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has said.

According to government figures published on Thursday, there have now been 517 cases of the virus in the UK so far this year, including 496 in England.

The BBC has reported on cases found in Scotland and the South West, and the NFU has made clear its concerns for the South East.

Livestock board chair for the East of England Hugh Broom said: "If your animals are not vaccinated already, please speak to your vet about getting on the list...it could just take a westerly wind to send the disease our way."

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an insect-borne viral disease affecting sheep and cattle among other animals.

It is spread by biting midges and does not affect humans or human food safety.

According to the NFU, it is often fatal in sheep and can cause abortions in cows, temporary infertility in bulls and deformities in newborn calves.

Broom, who farms near Dorking, Surrey, and also represents livestock farmers in Kent and Sussex, said the vaccination was "safe, affordable and quick".

The farmer said he understood that many things, including the lack of rainfall and rising fertiliser prices, were out of farmers' control at the moment.

"Vaccinating your animals is completely in your control," he added.

The NFU said that, in order to reduce the risk of bluetongue, farmers were moving high-risk or non-vaccinated stock away from wet, low-lying, or sheltered areas.

They are also keeping vulnerable animals housed during dawn and dusk when midge activity peaks.

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