Sunday 19 August 2012
United Kingdom
Farm groups are very gullable
Two sheep organisations are pressing for a vaccine against Schmallenberg to be made available as soon as possible.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) believe a vaccine is being developed but is still waiting for approval.
They are urging the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to try to complete the approval process soon.
"We desperately need this vaccine available for the breeding season and would like to offer any help we can to enable VMD to achieve this end," said Paul Roger of the SVS.
"SBV has been declared to be a 'low impact disease' but we are not convinced this is a true reflection of its impact across the whole continent, particularly around the boundaries of known infection spread such as the UK.
"We fear that we may face further disease next year.
Phil Stocker of the NSA said the virus was still a risk for UK sheep farmers.
He said: "As we approach this season's tupping there is a risk that the boundary of infection starts to spread and a vaccine to protect sheep will be a valuable tool for farmers, alongside the serum testing available.
"We urge the VMD to do all the necessary checks, but to proceed as fast as possible so as not to miss this season entirely."
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Source: thisisdevon
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