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Bluetongue roadshows are to be held in the South west this month.

Bluetongue is a potentially devastating disease affecting cattle and sheep. First detected in England in autumn '07, it wreaked havoc in northern Europe last year with around 6,500 Dutch farms and almost 20,000 German farms affected. In cattle, the disease can be hard to spot, symptoms are variable and stock can recover. The affects in sheep, however, are much more serious; vets in Europe report that around 40% of infected sheep die.

Anyone with livestock should be busy preparing now for the coming warmer weather. As the virus is spread by a midge, weather temperatures and wind directions are crucial to its spread. Planning is essential, advises vet Andrew Cobner of Penbode Veterinary Group, part of the Devon Herd Health Planning Group.

"There will be a vaccine available, initially it is likely to be in short supply, and it is only available for use in the Protection Zone (Defra-defined area currently covering East Anglia and parts of the south east)," he says. "Other steps farmers should take include undertaking midge (vector) control and advising their vets of the number of animals they want to vaccinate when their units are defined as in the Protection Zone. For the disease to be managed' effectively, the guidelines are that 100% of farm stock is vaccinated."

In order to assist all producers in the south west, the Devon Herd Health Planning Group, is organising a series of farmer meetings. A Dutch vet and farmer have been invited to share their experiences, and a representative from Defra will discuss the latest situation for England. A speaker from vaccine manufacturer, Intervet, will also talk about the new bluetongue vaccine Bovilis BTV8, how to administer it, storage and dose rates.

The meetings are as follows.

Tuesday 15th April Tiverton Hotel 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday 16th April Barnstaple Hotel 7:30 p.m.

Thursday 17th April Kingsley Centre, Fraddon 11:00 a.m.

Thursday 17th April Holsworthy Memorial Hall 7:30 p.m The meetings are open to all livestock producers and are free to attend.

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