Effectiveness of UK bluetongue strategy questioned by European veterinary group

The criticism came from the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), which accused Defra of ‘cost cutting’ on vaccination, and claimed the strategy would not be effective in controlling the disease.

However, the claims have been strongly refuted by the Government’s acting chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg, who has called for the federation to ‘publicly retract’ its statement.

FVE president, Walter Winding said the UK approach ‘was probably driven by a strong desire to cut costs, and had little to do with animal health and welfare.’

But Mr Landeg hit back in an open letter to Mr Winding, saying those comments were ‘both inaccurate and deeply offensive and unbecoming of a professional colleague, who I would expect to act on evidence and not speculation’.

Mr Winding added: “Irrespective of the disease outbreaks the UK has faced over recent years, it continues to cut budgets and to reduce its animal health services, something that goes completely against the new EU Community Animal Health Strategy, which focuses on prevention rather than cure.”

The federation’s main concern rested with the voluntary nature of the vaccination strategy, claiming it would not allow for a comprehensive monitoring of the vaccination programme.

Mr Landeg said the UK wanted to ensure a rapid coverage of vaccination, targeted at areas of greatest risk and its aim had therefore been to develop a vaccination programme which would allow a roll-out as quickly as possible when vaccine was delivered.

The UK also wanted to keep the cost of vaccination to a minimum by using existing delivery chains and reducing regulatory burdens.

He added: “We are in a strong position to act swiftly and reduce the risk of disease spread, not least because we were the first member state affected by the current outbreak to place an order for vaccine.”

He said the vaccine ordered would be restricted to supply through veterinary surgeons, so private vets would be responsible for prescribing it to keepers.

Under the UK plan, keepers would be allowed to administer the vaccine to their animals where appropriate, under the authority of private vets.

Mr Landeg also said Mr Winding’s suggestion that the UK plan had not been approved by the EC was ‘misleading’. “The EC services have seen our plan and have expressed confidence that it is capable of achieving its objectives of minimising the impact of bluetongue and reducing the risk of disease spread.”