Vaccination ‘key’ in tackling bluetongue

Vaccination has been described as a key way in which livestock sectors and governments across Europe will be able to effectively tackle the bluetongue virus.

According to the managing director of Fort Dodge Animal Health UK John Hanley, the spread of the virus, which has been identified in cattle and sheep in parts of northern Europe, including the UK, could be halted by a newly-developed vaccine.

However, Mr Hanley told Farming Life recently that while the Stereotype 8 vaccine is on schedule to be in production by the early part of summer 2008, it could be that demand will outstrip supply for some time to come.

The animal health firm boss went on to suggest that there could be problems in relation to how Stereotype 8 is administered and how the quantities produced will be distributed based on the relevant requirements of each country across the continent.

“We have made a policy decision of dealing with customers on a first come: first served basis and this will not change,” he explained.

Last year, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed that cases of bluetongue had been detected in parts of East Anglia and that it was being spread to other regions of southern England.