Mass vaccination of bluetongue-susceptible animals is unlikely to happen until 2009, the EU Commission has warned.

While the spread of the BTV8 strain has now reached "endemic" proportions, there are just three animal health companies developing a vaccine (Merial, Intervet and Fort Dodge), and this will not be available in sufficient quantity before the midge season starts next spring.

The commission is, therefore, keen to develop a vaccination strategy so that what vaccine is available next year does not just go to those who got their orders in first or who have the deepest pockets.

"We want to have a common approach to tackling this disease and identify priority cases for vaccination in all member states," said an official. The commission is holding a major conference in January to develop this strategy.

The official said vaccines were already being used effectively on some bluetongue serotypes in Spain and Italy. But the BTV8 type affecting northern Europe had spread too far and too fast - over 20km a week in France this season - any there was a lot of catching-up to do.

There would be financial help in the early stages, with the EU meeting 100% of the cost of the vaccine in the first year, and 50% of the cost of applying it. Vaccination is to be done by state or private veterinarians.