French Attempt to Stamp out Bluetongue
FRANCE - With more than 32,000 cases of bluetongue in France last year and the arrival of BTV1, French farmers and vets are well versed in bluetongue vaccination.
31 March 2009
1 minute read
With temperatures approaching the mid-teens, an ideal temperature for midge activity, it is only a matter of time before bluetongue cases appear. And with 27,766 BTV8 cases in France last year and 4837 cases of BTV1, it is no surprise most French producers are already ahead with vaccination.
Compulsory vaccination for both BTV8 and BTV1 in France means all animals older than 2.5 months have to be vaccinated before 30 April 2009.
However, according to Brittany vet Christian Huaux, it is unlikely all animals will be vaccinated by this date. "With French legislation only allowing vets to administer vaccines, it means we are under pressure to get all animals done. Already our practice in Dinan has administered 27,000 doses," he says.
Source: FarmersWeeklyInteractive
