FEW midges have been seen yet in this typical Scottish spring with fine weather and much colder conditions alternating on a daily basis. But those insects, pose the greatest threat to the livestock industry for the best part of a decade: they are the vectors of the virus which can contaminate cattle, sheep and goats with bluetongue disease.
This pestilence, which can cause a high level of mortality, especially in sheep, and a dramatic decline in productivity, had never been seen in northern Europe until three years ago. Most scientists believe global warming has advanced the disease.
Bluetongue comes in many forms, but BTV8 remains the principal threat to the UK. In the autumn of 2007, cases were detected in several southern counties of England resulting in the deaths of a substantial number of sheep. Vaccination can contain the spread of BTV8 and was widely adopted in England, but on a voluntary basis, with the full cost borne by farmers.
No cases of BTV8 have yet been detected in Scotland, but last autumn the Scottish Government decided to implement a compulsory vaccination programme at a subsidised rate.
That move was widely welcomed by farmers, despite the considerable degree of extra work involved in handling animals. The deadline for completing vaccination passed at the end of last month, but it now seems that more than 95 per cent of susceptible livestock have been treated. However, spot-checks will be made to monitor the situation and producers who have ignored the official policy could be liable for a substantial penalty. Large tracts of mainland Europe have now been designated as a "blue zone," resulting in a wide range of restrictions on animal movements.
The UK has so far avoided that label and it is possible to move animals both north and south of the Border with few problems.
However, the advice from the Scottish veterinary service is that any farmer purchasing either cattle or sheep from England should require the vendor to supply a declaration of vaccination. This has the potential to establish a two-tier market. In essence, no Scottish farmer should contemplate buying livestock from England or Wales unless the animals have been vaccinated.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland has made it clear in the schedule for next month's Highland Show that all livestock from south of the Tweed must be vaccinated. However, in recent months some pedigree cattle have been imported from "blue zones" on mainland Europe. They have been vaccinated and tested both on departure and arrival, but will still be barred from all the major shows during the summer months. Few farmers disagree with that edict. Importers are widely regarded as pariahs.
An industry stakeholder group in Scotland has been monitoring the situation.
Following a recent meeting, the Scottish Government issued a statement. "The group proposed that, over the summer of 2009, surveillance for BTV8 should be continued. This would be of a nature that the EU Commission would accept as evidence towards proving two years of disease freedom. This remains under consideration."
Nigel Miller, vice-president of NFU Scotland, who is also a qualified vet, is satisfied with the current position but urges producers to be on their guard.
He said: "The threat posed by bluetongue remains the leading concern for the livestock sector. The vaccination programme has gone incredibly well. However, producers must remember that it remains law in Scotland that all cattle and sheep are vaccinated against BTV8 before they become six months old or leave the holding of birth."
Keeping Scotland free from bluetongue presents a huge opportunity in terms of the potential exports of pedigree cattle and sheep. Back in 2001 and, subsequently, after the food-and-mouth crisis confidence in UK, livestock hit a nadir and took a long time to recover. The general view is that if farmers play their part in disease surveillance, there will be some useful business openings.
