NFU welcomes announcement on bluetongue vaccine‏

The NFU has welcomed today's announcement by Defra that a firm order has been placed with pharmaceutical company Intervet to supply 22.5 million doses of bluetongue vaccine.

It is hoped the order, which comes after three bids were submitted during the tender process last month, will ensure that vaccine will be available as early as next summer to control the impact of the disease when midge activity is expected to reach significant levels.

The NFU will continue to work with Defra and other scientific experts on developing a detailed plan as to how a vaccination programme should work.

NFU chief livestock advisor Peter King said: "The bluetongue outbreak has caused huge anxiety among livestock farmers and they will be greatly relieved to hear that a vaccine has been secured for next year. We have been pressing the Government for some time to secure an order for a vaccine which we believe will be a key tool in protecting livestock from the devastating bluetongue disease."