Scottish Government agrees to order bluetongue vaccine

Farmers in Scotland will be given the opportunity to vaccinate against bluetongue this winter after the Scottish Government agreed to secure 12 million doses of vaccine.

Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced that a compulsory vaccination programme would be put in place, with farmers being given financial support towards the cost of the vaccine.

The vaccination programme is hoped to begin in the winter, when vaccination is said to be most effective, provided the disease does not arrive in Scotland before then.

Once the vaccine is rolled out, the Scottish Government will pay 50 per cent of the cost of the vaccine and will also monitor farms to ensure all livestock keepers vaccinate their stock.

Mr Lochhead said: "The livestock sector has identified this disease as the biggest threat to the industry at present. Scotland is free from bluetongue and we want to keep it this way.

"Unanimous agreement was reached to accept this support as a one-off first year support to farmers who will pay 50 per cent of costs this year and full costs in subsequent years.

"This is the right solution for Scotland. The programme will deliver effective disease control whilst at the same time meeting the needs of the industry."