Farmers invited to ask the experts on bluetongue

Organised by the NFU, the meetings will feature a presentation from the Institute of Animal Health’s (IAH) bluetongue expert Dr Chris Oura who will be on hand to answer questions about the disease.

He will stress the importance of vaccination for 2009 and will warn farmers about the growing danger from Europe following the arrival of BTV1 last month.

Dr Oura said: “The situation is now very complex over there. You run a great risk of getting more than you bargained for if you import stock.”

NFU policy advisors will also speak at the events, to debate animal movement controls and the UK’s bluetongue response strategy.

The meetings are part of the NFU’s livestock health south east roadshow, which will see a series of livestock briefings take place across the South East to advise farmers on bluetongue as well as other animal diseases.

Dr Oura will be appearing on:

• December 11, 2008 – Agriculture House, Stanton Harcourt, Eynsham, Oxfordshire
• January 27, 2009 – Sparsholt College, Hampshire
• February 11, 2009 – Ashford Market, Kent.

For more information, call NFU South East on 01730711950.