UK on the verge of bluetongue-free status

The NFU has hailed a European Parliament vote that has paved the way for the UK to potentially obtain bluetongue-free status with the ability to continue vaccinating.

The EU Parliament has backed European Commission proposals yesterday, Thursday, to allow Member States to vaccinate against bluetongue even if they are outside the restricted zones. This means the UK will move from its current status as a Low Risk Zone and qualify for disease-free status while still retaining its ability to vaccinate.

NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: "If all goes to plan this will mean that we will have the protection levels associated with being disease free, which means imports from protection zones will have to be vaccinated or tested before they come in, and we can export without having to vaccinate. It’s a ’win-win’ for the industry.

"We have been working proactively with Defra and our NFU office in Brussels to change this legislation and we are pleased that it finally looks set to happen. However this decision still has to be ratified by EU Council in May and we will need to look closely at the finer details.

"It is important to remember that while cases across the EU were limited last year, and present risk levels are low, we are seeing some member states move from compulsory to voluntary vaccination programmes. We know how quickly Bluetongue virus can spread so it is essential that we have the ability to vaccinate and protect ourselves against any future outbreaks across Europe. The only way to protect UK cattle and sheep from this disease is through vaccination.

"Crucially, this decision will mean that we will also retain our ability to vaccinate voluntarily which gives our farmers the flexibility and protection they need. I firmly believe that if you give farmers the tools and correct opportunities they can manage and control disease."