Farming Monthly National April 2016 | Page 45

| Sheep & Lambing Need for an agreed disease strategy amid mounting bluetongue risk With a recent APHA report suggesting an 80% chance of the bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV8) hitting UK shores later this year, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is working hard to keep the need for an agreed disease control strategy at the top of the agenda. SA understands the French Government currently owns all existing vaccine for BTV8 and has made it compulsory for any stock N www.farmingmonthly.co.uk exiting the restriction zone in France to comply with premovement vaccination stipulations. Although the UK currently has its hands tied by there being no vaccine available, NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker is clear that live 7F