Farm minister George Eustice will urge farmers to consider vaccinating livestock against bluetongue as he opens the Livestock Event in Birmingham today.
Mr Eustice said Defra was working closely with farmers and vets to make sure they were 'well prepared' for a possible outbreak.
The warning comes as animal health companies MSD and Zoetis announced they will be making a bluetongue vaccine available to cattle and sheep farmers this month.
The National Farmers' Union echoed the advice of the Defra minister and said farmers should speak to their vets as a 'matter of urgency.'
MSD Health have signed an agreement with CZ Veterinaria S.A. to distribute its Bluevac BTV8 vaccine throughout Great Britain.
'Clear on vaccine pricing and availability'
NFU livestock chairman Charles Sercombe said: "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."
Livestock Event director, Matt Knight said: "We’re fully aware that times are tough for livestock farmers.
"That’s why we’re upping the event’s offer to more than previously, providing the opportunity to share more information, ideas and practical advice, and show casing relevant products and concepts that will save money.
"What’s more attending Livestock Event is free of charge – open doors for all visitors this year."
The success of a vaccination programme is reliant on 80% of farmers engaging in vaccination to their stock before the incursion of disease across central and southern England and Wales.
A small area of vaccination (150km) will have only a small impact on the rate of the spread of disease. If disease is already present, vaccination is less effective.
