Defra plans bluetongue vaccine bank

THE search is on for a vaccine to tackle bluetongue, the latest disease to hit British farming.

UK Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said farmers and livestock keepers will be offered the chance to buy doses next year, when an effective vaccine is likely to be available.

Mr Benn said Defra will issue a tender for a bluetongue vaccine bank with up to 20 million doses.

No suitable vaccine is currently available for the strain of bluetongue circulating in England – serotype 8 – but several companies are developing vaccines, which are expected to be ready from next summer.

Under the UK's Bluetongue Control Strategy, farmers will be able to buy vaccine from the bank.