Bluetongue zone covers all Wales

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_east/7590809.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A bluetongue protection zone is to be extended to cover the whole of Wales after cases of the livestock disease were found in Devon.

Until now, only south east Wales was under a protection order, which enables farmers to vaccinate cows and sheep against the virus.

The Welsh Assembly Government has ordered 7.5m doses of the vaccine, and has urged farmers to inoculate animals.

September is the highest risk period for the spread of the disease.

Bluetongue is spread by a species of midge and can be fatal to animals such as sheep and cows.

Over recent weeks, there have been more than 5,000 new cases of bluetongue in northern Europe, and last week cases were confirmed in imported cattle in Devon.

Under European livestock rules, once an area has been designated a protected zone vaccinations can be issued.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said: "The cases in Devon clearly show that bluetongue is a real threat to Wales' agriculture industry.

If animals are not vaccinated farmers will be putting their own and their neighbour's livestock and business at risk Christianne Glossop, Wales' chief vet

"The best protection we have against it is vaccination.

"That is why I would urge farmers to vaccinate as soon as they can. If they haven't already done so they must contact their private vet now to make the necessary arrangements.

"Farmers need to act to protect their livestock and vaccination is the best defence against this disease.

"The Welsh Assembly Government has ensured access to vaccine for Welsh farmers - the responsibility now rests with individual farmers to protect their animals."

Wales' chief vet Christianne Glossop said: "If animals are not vaccinated farmers will be putting their own and their neighbours' livestock and business at risk.

"The protection zone now covers all of Wales, and this is the opportunity for Welsh farmers to protect their livelihood. It is their responsibility to do this."

Both the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) and the National Farmers' Union (NFU) Cymru welcomed the move.

FUW president Gareth Vaughan said: "The disease is now on our doorstep and from Monday Welsh farmers will be able to take action to minimise the risk to their livestock.

"I therefore urge farmers who have not yet ordered vaccine from their vets to do so immediately."

NFU Cymru president Dai Davies said farmers could not afford to be "complacent or apathetic" about vaccinating, and that the alternative was "unthinkable".

He added: "This is the only way we can safeguard our stock and protect ourselves from the devastating economic consequences of this disease once it strikes."