British Veterinary Association Adds Voice To Calls For Suspension Of Imports From Bluetongue Areas, UK

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 27 Nov 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The BVA has added its voice to calls for the suspension of imports of cattle and sheep from areas where the bluetongue virus is known to be circulating.

Following yesterday's announcement by Defra that BTV1 (Bluetongue Serotype 1) had been detected in five cattle imported from a Restricted Zone in the south west of France BVA President Nicky Paull said: "I am saddened, but not surprised, that the actions of some are putting our livestock here in the UK at risk. As long as some farmers continue to import stock from these areas we will continue to see this problem and we therefore believe that the only answer is to suspend imports. We also see absolutely no reason why compensation should be paid to those who have risked the health and welfare of the national flock and herd.

"My advice to farmers still is to vaccinate against BTV8 if you have not done so already. If you did vaccinate during the summer then plan to boost protection at the end of the winter period so your stock is protected next summer. With no vaccine currently licensed for BTV1 however, do not import livestock from mainland Europe - we should not rely on the hope of a BTV1 vaccine in time to prevent serious problems next summer if we buy this new strain of bluetongue virus into the UK."

British Veterinary Association
7 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NQ
http://www.bva.co.uk