Three leading East Anglian livestock farmers will visit France on Monday to find out about the impact of bluetongue across the Channel.

FARMERS in Cambridgeshire have welcomed a Government decision to buy millions of doses of Bluetongue vaccine.

A Hereford cow in a herd owned by Haddenham-based AG Wright and Sons tested positive for the disease, which is spread by midges, on Monday.

James Thorp, farm manager, said the announcement was a "positive move".

No vaccine currently exists for the strain of Bluetongue circulating in England and 60 cases have now been confirmed. Defra has said it will tender for between 10 and 20 million doses, subject to anticipated demand.

Mr Thorp, who is waiting for final test results on the 22-strong Pymoor herd, said: "I think it's a pretty positive move by them seeing as France and Germany have had supplies on order for a while. It shows Defra is moving in the right direction."

The decision was also welcomed by the National Farmers' Union in Newmarket.

A spokesman said: "It's very good news. They are taking a step forward which we have been pushing for strongly. There is a lot of work still to be done about how it is going to work, but it is really good news that at least they are making the first step now."

However, others were more critical of Defra's reaction to the outbreak.