Are you wondering what 2010 will bring for your business? If you want to know, and ask experts your questions, take part in our free online outlook seminars.Benn unveils UK bluetongue plan
DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn has published a UK plan for bluetongue vaccination over the months ahead.
He confirmed that the approach will be voluntary and that farmers will be able to purchase vaccine from Defra.
Speaking at the NFU conference he said: “Having seen all the terrible damage bluetongue has done we know that vaccination offers the best hope that’s why we are the first country dealing with the outbreak in northern Europe that has placed an order – for 22.5 million doses.
“The deal is the Government pays for the order up front and the full cost is then recovered as the vaccine is used by farmers.”
Benn said the voluntary approach will be taken because ‘that’s what you said you wanted’.
He said it will allow vaccination to go ahead as quickly as possible.
During a question and answer session Mr Benn was heckled over the issue of badgers and TB.
Farmers lined-up to express their frustration at the lack of a decision on culling badgers, but Mr Benn reiterated his stance that he will base the decision on four things, science, how practical and effective measures would be, and public acceptability.
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Conference News
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Readers' comments (1)
alan bromyard | 21 February 2008 0:56 am
I can not understand why Mr Benn and DEFRA are making the bluetongue vaccination program voluntary. some farmers have such poor husbandry standers, and would not dream of paying for the vaccine, with that being the case we will never get rid of bluetongue, and two year down the line we will not have livestock industry, or is that what DEFRA wants?. Do they want us to import more rubbish.
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