Use housing period for bluetongue vaccination

Farmers are being urged to use the winter housing period to vaccinate against bluetongue.

Although bluetongue may not be right on our doorstep, it could quite literally be waiting in the wings, says Merial vet advisEr Brian Rice.

“Although we have been bluetongue-free for a couple of years in Wales and England and vaccination is now voluntary in Scotland, there’s no reason to be complacent.

“Bluetongue still has the potential to cause huge amount of damage to the UK livestock industry and vaccination not only give piece of mind but can protect farmer’s investments,” he says.