Scottish Livestock Vigilance Over Bluetongue Back
UK - Scotland’s farmers are being urged to be on guard for a serious animal disease that has re-emerged in the Northern Europe. Bluetongue, an insect-borne disease which affects sheep in particular, has spread into some previously unaffected areas and now threatens the UK. With cases now running into thousands on the Continent, NFU Scotland is calling for the flexibility to adopt tough protection measures.
13 September 2007
3 minute read
The risk of it reaching the UK is increasing with every move of this disease into new areas
NFUS Vice President Nigel Miller
Bluetongue - which does not affect humans – was confirmed in Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg for the first time ever in the summer of 2006 and cases have re-appeared this year in even greater numbers. Until very recently, the disease was confined to the tropics and sub-tropics. Anecdotal reports suggest mortality rates in some sheep flocks are over 40%. Cattle, like all ruminants, can be affected, however their most significant role in the spread of the disease is as a reservoir for the virus. Because bluetongue is spread by vectors (i.e. midges), and not through animal to animal contact like foot and mouth disease, culling is only really effective in small localised outbreaks.
NFUS believes that a combination of Government and industry action could help reduce the threat to Scotland. It is encouraging farmers not to import animals into Scotland if they are near a restricted zone or likely to travel through one (currently, live animal exports from restricted zones are banned, but other animals can travel through such zones for export). The Union understands EU vets are considering lifting the ban on live exports from restricted zones. NFUS want flexibility for member states, and regions with them, to prohibit movements from areas affected by the disease if deemed necessary.
NFUS Vice President Nigel Miller said:
“Having just eradicated foot and mouth from the UK again, the thought of having another serious animal disease within these shores is demoralising. Bluetongue is far harder to control than foot and mouth because we can’t control the movements of midges. The hope had been that when the insects on the Continent died over winter, the disease would die out with them, but this has not happened. The stories of the effect of the disease on the Continent are horrendous.
“The death rates in sheep that could accompany bluetongue would be horrific for the industry here. Even though cattle are less affected, lower fertility rates and milk yields would carry a heavy price.
“The risk of it reaching the UK is increasing with every move of this disease into new areas. The trade in live animals coming into the UK from around the restricted zones is significant enough for it to be a disease risk. I would urge our members not to import live animals that are either close to restricted areas or likely to travel through them. Likewise, if EU vets want to lift the ban on exports directly from restricted areas, they should give our own vets and government the power to prohibit such movements if deemed necessary.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
