8:50am Monday 14th June 2010
Farmers will get greater protection from bluetongue thanks to status change, says the NFU The decision to reclassify Great Britain’s bluetongue status as a Lower Risk Zone will help keep the country free of the disease, says the NFU.
The European Commission has confirmed a change from BTV8 Protection Zone to a Lower Risk Zone for BTV8 which will come into effect on June 12.
It will mean greater protection for livestock keepers in Great Britain by imposing tougher controls on any bluetongue-susceptible animals being imported from affected countries.
NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: “This change in status will help to ensure that Great Britain remains bluetongue free at a time when imports are increasing significantly.
“We hope this is a step closer to helping Great Britain eventually achieve disease free status but we would still encourage farmers to continue with their successful vaccination programmes as the risk still remains via infected midges being blown over from the continent.
“Vets are also warning there is a risk that pregnant animals could be carrying a BTV infected foetus but still test negative in post-import blood tests. The newborn could then infect the local midge population and restart the disease’s circulation.
“We would urge farmers to remain vigilant for any signs of the disease and again report any suspicions to local Animal Health offices.”
These new conditions are: · vaccination plus a 60-day wait; · vaccination plus a test 14 days after onset of immunity; · a booster vaccination within a time period of immunity
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