Rising concern over Schmallenberg virus has prompted the National Sheep Association to call on farmers to pull together to deal with the disease.
It follows increasing reports of the disease in Britain - and emerging evidence that the virus is causing more lamb losses this year than last.
Schmallenberg virus causes deformities in lambs during pregnancy, leading to birthing difficulties and heavy losses in flocks.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: "Anecdotal reports from France and other areas of Europe suggest Schmallenberg may be causing more problems in its second year than expected."
This was possibly because livestock were not developing the level of immunity anticipated after being exposed to the disease, suggested Mr Stocker.
But a lack of data made it hard to assess the extent of the problem.
"The lack of statistical evidence means we cannot predict if we will have an ongoing problem, but the industry as a whole should be very concerned by the absence of data we have and what has been seen in some early lambing flocks."
Many UK farmers and pregnancy scanners have been reporting empty ewes. A similar situation has been seen in cattle.
But official data only records the distance the disease has spread, rather than any additional information once the disease has been confirmed in a county.
This means there is a concerning lack of detail on the level and scale of the problem - a situation thought unlikely to change because of the government's financial constraints.
Data would have to be collected if Schmallenberg was a notifiable disease, but the NSA believes this would not be in the interest of the industry.
This is because it would have big implications on trade between UK and other countries, both in the EU and further afield.
Mr Stocker says: "It would be great if the government could collect this data, so we better understood the situation and how to implement control strategies, including vaccination programmes once a vaccine is available.
"However, given the reality of the situation, the NSA feels very strongly that the industry should pull together and ensure a solution is found."
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency is due to publish the latest Schmallenberg figures on Friday (14 December).
Mr Stocker said he believed the agency should offer a reporting service for sheep, beef and dairy farmers in the hope of collecting enough data to create a clearer picture.
The NSA had held preliminary discussions with a number of organisations and hopes to move things forward in the coming weeks, said Mr Stocker.
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