Ceredigion NFU Cymru members have bluetongue update

Kate Hovers, a veterinary surgeon and Alan Huxtable, a veterinary officer, will talk to local NFU Cymru members in Ceredigion next week about the current situation with the Bluetongue virus and vaccination programme.

Now that the whole of Wales is part of the Bluetongue Protection Zone, NFU Cymru is encouraging all livestock keepers to start vaccinating as soon as possible.

Kate Hovers and Alan Huxtable will provide a short presentation during the meeting and are happy to answer any questions local farmers have on the Bluetongue virus and the use of the vaccine.

Ms Hovers works as a sheep consultant, a locum veterinary surgeon and part time large animal veterinary advisor for a pharmaceutical company. She lives and helps on her partner"e;s small sheep farm in the Brecon Beacons. Alan Huxtable is a veterinary officer based at the Carmarthen Animal Health Divisional Office and previously worked at the Cardiff divisional office.

The meeting will be held at 8pm on Tuesday, 16 September 2008, at the Feathers Royal Hotel, Alban Square, Aberaeron.

Richard Tudor, NFU Cymru Ceredigion County Chairman said, "We are very grateful to both Kate and Alan for agreeing to come along to the meeting to discuss this very "e;hot"e; topic. I would encourage all NFU Cymru members and their neighbours to come along."