Comment

THE National Sheep Association is extremely concerned that the ability of large parts of Great Britain to stay bluetongue free is in jeopardy following the importation of a bluetongue infected bovine from Germany into the north of England - an area designated as being under restriction in respect of bluetongue.

The animal came into GB quite legally under the EU bluetongue regulations which permit such moves subject to various conditions such as testing prior to movement. In this particular case something has gone wrong and the consequence is that there was an infected animal in a clean area.

As animals from infected parts of the EU can be imported in all parts of GB, NSA is keen to encourage animal health departments across all of GB to work much closer together to ensure that the sheep industry receives as much protection as possible from any potentially infected animals slipping through the net and entering GB.

NSA chief executive, Peter Morris, said: "One of NSA's greatest strengths is that it is a UK organisation and this helps ensure that sheep producers from all parts of the country are able to understand each other's challenges and appreciate opportunities as well as learn from each other. It is fully understood that devolution is a fact of life and has an important part to play in our society, but on issues such as animal disease borders often mean little in terms of preventing disease spread or protecting the animals and businesses they support.

"Obviously animal health departments throughout Great Britain do talk, but we want to ensure that they are working together as closely as possible on issues such as bluetongue where the actions of one can affect the outcome for others very dramatically.

"With the likelihood of a vaccine for bluetongue becoming more real then we must have a joined up approach across GB to maximise its benefits to all producers. The experience within NSA of all parts of the country working together has clearly demonstrated on many occasions the benefits of co-operation and dialogue particularly on disease issues."

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