Blue tongue protection zone increased

Last updated 21:13, Thursday, 21 August 2008

FARMERS are being urged to take up the blue tongue vaccine after it was announced this week that Cumbria is to be included in the protection zone.

Cumbria and Northumberland have been the only two areas in England outside the zone, but it was announced on Wednesday that this will change on September 1.

Cockermouth’s Mitchell’s Livestock director Adam Day said that although the creation of the protection zone meant some problems with Scottish trade, it could be good news for local farmers.

He said: “It means that we can buy, sell and move stock throughout the protection zone, which means throughout England.

“There was some concern about the autumn sales and farmers can’t go through another year like last year when we were hit by foot and mouth again.

“Being included in the protection zone means our farmers will be able to buy and sell and that is good news.”

There is no subsidy on the vaccine, which costs 80p a shot. Sheep would require only one dose and cattle two.

Mr Day said it would be an additional cost on already overburdened farmers, but he strongly urged farmers to get the vaccine.

The protection zone means that stock will not be able to go over the border into Scotland. But Mr Day said pressure was being put on the Scottish Parliament to take action.