Bluetongue jab deadline looms for Scots

The deadline for compulsory bluetongue vaccination in Scotland is just five weeks away and only 50% of farms have been protected.

Scottish farmers have been warned that the clock is now against them and ticking fast.

The latest figures from the Scottish government show that only 49.21% of holdings have administered 5m doses of BTV8 vaccine, and while Chief Vet Charles Milne said the statistics were largely in line with projected estimates, he insisted he would not be happy with anything less than 100% adherence to the programme which was agreed in consultation with the industry.

“We know that if we achieve 80% it is likely to be enough to prevent establishment of the disease, but this compulsory regime was not imposed on the Scottish farming industry, it was bought into by all stakeholders,” he said.

“I expect a big upsurge over the next three to four weeks when livestock is brought in for lambing or calving, so I am cautiously optimistic that we will hit the target.”

NFUS president Jim McLaren said a last gasp approach had always been predicted, but these figures should now concentrate the minds of producers who have been putting it off.

He added a warning: “They now have a very tight window, and they must comply. The entire country’s livestock industry is at stake if we fail to protect our flocks and herds from this terrible disease.”