County NFU focus on bluetongue

Dairy and livestock farmers from across the West Midlands will discuss bluetongue disease at two meetings in Shropshire next month.

The February 4 meetings have been set up by the NFU to keep members up-to-date with the latest news on bluetongue and a long term strategy to help deal with it.

It is hoped as many farmers as possible from the sectors will attend.

One meeting is at the NFU regional office in Southwater Way, Telford, at 2.30pm and the other at the Salwey Arms Hotel, Bromfield, near Ludlow, at 7.30pm.

NFU senior policy adviser Andrew Richards said: "The meetings will cover all aspects of bluetongue and we will look at the proposed vaccination policy and the longer term control strategy.

"We are concerned that all producers should understand the current position with regard to the restrictions and movements and the critical importance of ensuring that 100 per cent vaccination takes place as soon as the vaccine is available."

Shropshire is enjoying relaxed bluetongue restrictions due to falling temperatures and a decline in the midge population.

Mr Richards added it was expected there would be a large amount of interest in the bluetongue meetings and members should register their attendance in advance to ensure a place.

For further details or to reserve a place at the meeting, farmers can call Ruth Wall at Agriculture House on (01952) 400500 or send an e-mail to ruth.wall@nfu.org.uk