Scotland

[Commonground]

Risk of not vaccinating ?just too great?
22 October, 2008

By Katie Lomas
AS the start of the compulsory vaccination programme in Scotland draws closer, most farmers appear to widely accept it as a ?necessary evil?.

Scottish farmers, speaking at Perth pedigree bull sales this week, were widely supportive of the programme as they said protecting their stock far outweighed the labour and cost implications involved.

Neil Drummond, stockman for Cloquhat Farm?s Limousin herd at Blairgowrie was positive about the compulsory vaccination programme and said: ?The sooner we start vaccinating the better.?

He said he could not understand why it had taken so long to decide to introduce the programme as it would allow free movement of stock across the border again. He added Colquhat Farm would have vaccinated anyway, even if it had not been made compulsory, as the risks of not vaccinating were ?just too great?.

David Craig, a Simmental breeder from Stewarton, Ayrshire, agreed and said although the vaccination programme would create extra work on farm it was still a good idea.

?It will be a bit of a hassle but having said that, if not doing it means taking the risk of losing a pedigree animal to the disease it?s worth it.?

However some farmers were concerned they had not been given enough information about the best time to vaccinate their pregnant stock.

Charles McCombie, a Charollais and Aberdeen-Angus breeder from Huntly, Knock, said: ?There is a bit of confusion over what we have to do. We need to know the optimum time to vaccinate pregnant ewes and cows, but vaccinating is a necessary evil.?

Kenneth Russell farms at Newton Stewart where he runs 70 Simmentals and 60 Charollais alongside 100 Blackface sheep and a flock of 320 pedigree crosses.

He said compulsory vaccination was the best way forward and described the voluntary vaccination programme in England as ?crazy?.

?You?ve either got to vaccinate everything or not at all,? he said.

A Simmental breeder from Ayrshire agreed and said he was sceptical about the success of the voluntary vaccination in England and Wales.

?The cost and extra work involved is a factor but we don?t want to take the risk of not vaccinating.

?Our Government?s approach to this is good; they are taking the bull by the horns. It?s all been a bit wishy-washy down south.?

Scotland?s compulsory bluetongue vaccination programme begins on Monday, November 3 and it is anticipated it will be completed no later than April 30 next year.

It means all cattle and sheep in Scotland of three months of age and older will legally require vaccination against strain 8 of the bluetongue virus (BTV8).

http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=22189

 

[Commonground]

Re: Scotland

COMPULSORY REGIME WILL BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 3
Livestock set to be vaccinated against virus
BY JOE WATSON

Published: 10/10/2008

The compulsory vaccination of more than 7million cattle and sheep in Scotland against the deadly bluetongue virus is to start on November 3.

The confirmation of the date yesterday by Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead ends weeks of speculation.

The decision means that on November 3 Scotland automatically falls into the virus protection zone, allowing the free movement of susceptible livestock from other virus areas in the UK and mainland Europe into Scotland. It will, however, restrict exports of live animals from Scottish flocks and herds to disease-free areas.

Scottish producers have until April 30 to vaccinate all cattle and sheep more than three months.

Mr Lochhead said: ?I am pleased that we are now able to give farmers and crofters certainty on the date on which compulsory vaccination will be start. Scientific analysis has allowed us to specify November 3 as the date that mitigates the risk to the Scottish livestock industry.

?Until all livestock are vaccinated, there will remain a risk to the industry from importing potentially infected animals. It is vital farmers continue to avoid sourcing stock from high-risk areas."

The vaccination of other susceptible animals such as goats, farmed deer and llamas is voluntary, but government officials and farming organisations are urging owners to join in the effort.

NFU Scotland president Jim McLaren said the decision committed producers to a vaccination regime for some years ahead as all stock would require an annual booster and new-born animals to be vaccinated.

Vaccines will be available from vets. Mr McLaren urged producers to discuss their vaccine requirements with their vet before deciding the size and timing of their delivery.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/880460?UserKey=