Importing the Risk of Bluetongue
UK - NFU Cymru's Livestock Board, meeting in Builth Wells yesterday, has echoed Wales' Chief Vet's call to farmers to weigh up the risks of importing animals from areas of Europe affected by the Bluetongue virus (BTv), reports FARMINGUK.
9 January 2008
2 minute read
* "In recent weeks there have been cases where animals imported from the continent have subsequently tested positive for the disease upon arrival in England and Scotland." |
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NFU Cymru's Livestock Board Chairman, Ed Rees
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NFU Cymru's Livestock Board Chairman, Ed Rees said, "Wales is currently outside the Bluetongue Protection and Surveillance Zones, which were set up across the border in England following outbreaks of the disease in the autumn.
"In recent weeks there have been cases where animals imported from the continent have subsequently tested positive for the disease upon arrival in England and Scotland. I would urge Welsh farmers to avoid importing animals into the country from BTv affected areas, so as not to risk bringing Bluetongue to our door. It has the potential to compromise not just the stock of the importer but the livestock industry as a whole.
"Bluetongue is a nasty disease which represents both a very real threat to the welfare of farm animals as well as to the economics of livestock farming. If an animal tests positive for Bluetongue it is legally required to be slaughtered, and there is no compensation payable for loss of stock. It is therefore of paramount importance that we do our utmost to continue to protect the livestock industry in Wales from becoming infected by the disease, by acting responsibly."
Further Reading
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- You can visit our Bluetongue information page by clicking here. |
