The opportunity for North West farmers to vaccinate their livestock against bluetongue disease could present itself sooner than expected says the NFU.
On Monday 19 May, the bluetongue Protection Zone was extended to cover the counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, placing it right at the end of Cheshire's driveway. Once an area is placed in the Protection Zone, the farmers in that vicinity can begin to vaccinate.
As a member of the Joint Action against Bluetongue campaign (JAB), the NFU has been encouraging all livestock keepers to discuss their vaccine requirements with their vets and remind them of the JAB slogan 'don't hesitate, vaccinate'.
As part of the campaign, the NFU has organised many meetings, throughout the country, which will outline the potential impact on the country's farmers.
The next meetings to take place in the North West will be held in Lancashire at the following dates, times and venues:
· Myerscough College Lecture Theatre on Tuesday 17 June, starting at 7.30pm.
· Gisburn Auction Mart on Monday 23 June, starting at 7.30pm.
At both meetings past British Veterinary Association President and local vet, David Catlow, will highlight clinical signs and the effect of the disease while NFU North West's senior policy adviser, Adam Briggs, will outline the strategy to control the spread of bluetongue, the latest on vaccination and what action farmers should take to protect their livestock.
Mr Briggs said: "Bluetongue is potentially the biggest threat that livestock farmers have faced for many years. Unlike FMD there is no compensation and losses as high as 70% have been reported in sheep flocks. In dairy cattle milk yields have fallen by 20 to 25% while cattle and sheep that survive also face severe fertility problems."