Fears over bluetongue vaccine supply as Defra confirms no order for 2009

England will not be guaranteed enough vaccine to protect livestock from an outbreak of bluetongue in 2009, after Defra confirmed it would not be issuing a tender for more supplies.

The announcement came as Defra revealed only around half of last year’s order was taken up by farmers, leaving a surplus of 12 million doses on the shelves of veterinary wholesalers.