The NFU has said every effort must be made to ensure a vaccine is available later this year to help combat the spread of Schmallenberg virus. The union made the call after many farms with early lambing flocks across the country have reported higher than normal losses with still births and deformities ranging from fused limbs to twisted necks.

The pattern was seen last year, although AHVLA Told Farming Online on Friday (11th January) that there were currently "no definitive figures" to support the observed pattern, with investigation made especially problematic by the fact SBV remains a non-notifiable disease, an AHVLA spokesperson said this is "something we are looking into."

AHVLA released data on SBV cases in the UK on Monday (14th January). According to the agency, cases of the disease rose 24 percent between December and January, as early lambing got underway. The total number of confirmed SBV cases in the UK is 1,211. To date, there have been no endemic cases in Scotland.

The disease, discovered last year, initially only affected animals in Southern and Eastern England, having been blown over the Channel form mainland Europe, where it is thought to have originated. Although its spread has been rapid, the disease is still recognised by Defra and the European Commission as 'low impact' on a national scale.

Even so, the NFU said on Monday that the cost for individual businesses of SBV infection can run into thousands of pounds, especially serious as the outbreak has coincided with a three year low for lamb prices and rising input costs.

NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said, "Any infection present on farm now will have taken place last year and there is nothing that can be done to alleviate issues at the moment. But it is important that a vaccine is made available this year to give our sheep farmers the choice of whether to vaccinate their flocks against this disease.

Mr Sercombe, a sheep farmer in Leicestershire, has discovered Schmallenberg in his own flock. He said he is "concerned" but assured that industry and veterinary health agencies are working to build up an accurate picture of the disease.