Intervet to supply Defra with Bluetongue vaccine

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced it has ordered 22.5 million doses of a vaccine for Bluetongue from Intervet, following “full assessment” of bids.

Intervet’s vaccine does not protect against the strain of Bluetongue which is currently hitting British farmers, but could help control the disease in 2008, Defra commented.

Animal health and welfare minister Jeff Rooker said: “This decision is based on consideration of technical specification and price, and I am confident that the Intervet vaccine will offer the best value and most effective option to farmers.”

Purchasing the vaccine is part of a Bluetongue control strategy Defra developed along with members of the farming community.

Farmers will be able to buy the immunisation from the government department.

Intervet is part of Schering-Plough and is the world’s third biggest animal health firm. It distributes drugs and products across 100 countries.