Order placed for Bluetongue vaccine‏

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has todayannounced that it is placing a firm order with pharmaceutical companyIntervet to supply 22.5 million doses of Bluetongue vaccine.This follows a full assessment of the three bids submitted during the tenderprocess announced by Defra on 1 November.

Although no suitable vaccine is currently available for the strain ofBluetongue circulating in England (serotype 8), this order will ensure thatvaccine will be available as early as possible next summer to control theimpact of Bluetongue and ease movement restrictions on vaccinated animals.

In keeping with the principles set out in the Bluetongue Control Strategy,which was developed in partnership with the farming industry, livestockkeepers will be offered the opportunity to purchase vaccine from the vaccinebank.

Animal Health and Welfare Minister Jeff Rooker said:"I am pleased to announce that, following careful assessment of tenders forBluetongue vaccine, Defra has chosen Intervet to supply22.5 million doses. This decision is based on consideration of technicalspecification and price, and I am confident that the Intervet vaccine willoffer the best value and most effective option to farmers."

Defra is urgently continuing work on developing a detailed plan withBluetongue scientific experts, representatives of the farming industry andothers as to how a vaccination programme would work. We will discuss thisplan further with external scientific experts and stakeholders.