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Bluetongue detected in England
26/11/2008
The Scottish Government today praised the quick response in culling animals imported to England with bluetongue virus 1.
The cattle were imported to the Blackpool area of England from South West France and were culled within 24 hours of positive laboratory results becoming available.
Commenting on the incident, Richard Lochhead Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs said:
"Irresponsible action like this could potentially inflict huge damage on our livestock industry.
"The decision by Defra to cull the infected animals will provide a level of reassurance to the wider UK livestock industry.
"This kind of irresponsible action is bewildering. Whilst a small financial saving could be made by sourcing from high risk areas, these savings are dwarfed by the potential economic impact of an outbreak both to the individual farmer and the industry as a whole.
"Scotland is renowned the world over for the high quality of its produce and the welfare standards within which livestock are kept. An outbreak of bluetongue could potentially cost Scotland £100 million per annum.
"Many farmers would find it difficult to overcome any additional financial burden, particularly in this current economic climate.
"It is, therefore, crucial that all livestock keepers to be vigilant and source animals responsibly."
Charles Milne, Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland said:
"We have been fortunate that this imported case has been found quickly and that its arrival coincided with a period of low vector activity. The disease risk to Scotland from this import is minimal but highlights the need to consider very carefully from where farmers source their stock ."
This is the first import of bluetongue serotype 1 into the UK. So far this year there have been 10 consignments of bluetongue serotype 8 animals imported into the UK.
A veterinary inquiry is underway into the importation of the bluetongue serotype 1 animals.
There are 24 types of bluetongue virus. In Scotland a compulsory vaccination campaign is underway against bluetongue virus 8. This is required given the joint Scottish Government - Industry Bluetongue Stakeholder Group's assessment of risk. There is no cross-protection between serotypes and sensible sourcing of stock remains the best protection against bluetongue virus 1.