Bluetongue vaccine will be available in Britain from mid-July and farm unions are urging members to speak to their vets as a matter of urgency.
 
MSD Health has now signed an agreement with CZ Veterinaria S.A. to distribute its BLUEVAC BTV8 vaccine throughout Great Britain and the vaccines produced by Zoetis, Zulvac® 8 Bovis and Zulvac® 8 Ovis, will become available to veterinary practices in mid-July. On Monday, the NFU welcomed the news and said members should speak to their vets about vaccination as the virus could spread to England from France, where there have been hundreds of cases reported in central regions of the country.
 
NFU livestock chairman Charles Sercombe commented, “This is really welcome news for the industry and we strongly urge farmers to discuss vaccination with their vet in order to fully understand the risk to their business considering their system and geography.  These conversations should be ongoing because as the situation in France and mainland Europe changes the risk will change in the UK.
 
“We are calling on manufacturers and vets to be clear on the vaccine pricing and availability. Farmers will base decisions on whether to vaccinate on a number of factors, with price and availability featuring highly.”
 
Defra has analysed the risk to stock in the UK and the country is at risk of an outbreak during the spring or summer months, with an outbreak in late summer rated the most likely – the probability of incursion is 5-10% in May, 33-60% in July and 80% in September.
 
The Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB)1  has put together a leaflet and poster to highlight the signs of Bluetongue and suggest how farmers can be proactive. Further activity is currently being planned to ensure farmers, vets, animal health advisers and wider industry are fully informed with the latest situation and veterinary advice.