Scotland-Panic over Bluetongue.

SCOTLAND -PANIC OVER BLUETONGUE.

The Scottish Government was last night pondering the problem of two illegal immigrants – not humans, but a pair of cows from the Netherlands whose papers are not in order.

At the heart of the matter is bluetongue disease, a viral condition spread by midges that can have devastating effects on cattle, sheep, goats and even llamas. Bluetongue is a major problem throughout much of Europe. There were even some cases in the south of England in late 2007, but Scotland has so far remained clear and hopes to maintain a disease-free status in the wake of a compulsory vaccination programme.

The two animals were part of a consignment of six destined for the Republic of Ireland, but on arrival at Larne in Northern Ireland two of the cows were found to have been pregnant before being vaccinated, in contravention of EU regulations. The Ulster authorities immediately decreed that the pair should be sent back to Stranraer.

Nigel Miller, vice-president of NFU Scotland, said: "This is an absolute mess. We have urged the Scottish Government to send these animals back from whence they came and deliver a clear message to the authorities in the Netherlands. If the Dutch had been properly policing movements, these two animals would never have left in the first place."

Charles Milne, Scotland’s chief vet, said: "The cows have been taken to a farm for rest and remain under movement restrictions. We are considering the appropriate action to be taken."