Farmers urged to get cattle vaccines

Farms in Powys are at the centre of calls for the vaccination of livestock against bluetongue disease following an outbreak in north Wales.

The call comes after two cows tested positive for the disease at premises near Ruthin in Denbighshire. The two imported cattle were found to have type eight of the virus.

They were part of a group of seven animals imported from the Limoges area of France and detected as a result of post-import testing.

Now Mick Bates, Liberal Democrat AM for Montgomeryshire, is calling on farmers in Powys to get their animals vaccinated.

He said: "So far, all the incidents of bluetongue have been associated with the importation of animals. The problem is imports are perfectly legal, but in the meantime, I urge all farmers to vaccinate their animals.Ê

"Out of five million available doses of the vaccine, just 600,000 have been used.

"That means that there are a lot of unprotected livestock out there."

Mr Bates said farmers throughout Wales should be worried. "This is the first time we have evidence of infected animals since we have rolled out the protection zone," he said.

"The closer to this outbreak the more worried people should be and I would suggest farmers contact their vets today and order the vaccine."