Bluetongue protection available in derbyshire – 'get vaccinating' say NFU and CLA

Defra's announcement that the bluetongue protection zone will include Derbyshire from midnight on Monday (14 July) is good news for the county's farmers. But NFU and CLA in the region have warned that the fight to prevent bluetongue disease decimating the region's livestock industry must remain at the top of the farming agenda.

"Although there have been no cases of bluetongue confirmed in this country, yet, this year, the threat of its devastating effects on our livestock industry are still very real," says NFU senior policy adviser, Simon Fisher. "The industry cannot afford to be complacent and must make use of the vaccine at the earliest opportunity to protect beef and dairy cattle, sheep and other susceptible livestock: we just don't know when this disease could show itself."

The effects of the disease can be devastating, if the pattern of infection seen in Europe last year is repeated here. Loss of milk production, lameness, infertility, secondary infections and in severe cases, death would soon cause huge problems for both farmers and small-scale keepers of livestock.

"Just think of the vet bills," continued Simon Fisher. "For the small cost of a dose of vaccine*, the protection it imparts is worth it. As the warmer summer weather encourages the midges that carry the disease to breed and spread, no-one can tell when or where the disease might reappear."

CLA regional director, Helen Woolley said: "A reminder postcard, funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) will be sent this week to every livestock keeper in Derbyshire. Its message is simple: "Don't Hesitate, Vaccinate!" We cannot stress too highly the need to protect our livestock against this devastating disease. Everyone must take responsibility for eliminating the threat of bluetongue in Britain, whether they keep 1000 sheep or two."