Less than a week after Defra announced the move, Merial's technical manager Brian Rice said more farmers were now looking to vaccinate.

He said: “It is still far too early to draw any conclusions but the initial signs are encouraging for an increased uptake not only of government held stocks of BTV vaccine but also for an increase in uptake in general.

“As stated before we would urge farmers to take advantage of this to protect their livestock against BTV while the opportunity exists and before the midge season peaks.”

The reduced price vaccine is being sold in 100ml bottles and while produced by Merial, it is owned and sold by Defra through veterinary wholesalers.

There are still stocks of smaller bottles available from vets and with vaccine fast going out of date some have also decided to reduce the price of their own stock.

Defra this week moved to urge farmers to take advantage of the cut price vaccine and has produced a video explaining the risks of the disease to farmers.