Agriculture: Bluetongue

House of Lords written question – answered at on 29 September 2008.

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Photo of Lord Vinson Lord Vinson Conservative

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the losses borne by the sheep industry during the foot and mouth outbreak in 2007 caused by a leak from a government research centre at Pirbright, they will pay for vaccination used during the current bluetongue epidemic, as the Government of France are.

Photo of Lord Rooker Lord Rooker Minister of State (Sustainable Farming, Food and Animal Welfare), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (Sustainable Farming, Food and Animal Welfare), Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

The vaccination programme aims to achieve mass vaccination through a voluntary programme, supported by an industry-led campaign promoting the importance of vaccination.

Bluetongue can primarily be viewed as an animal welfare and economic problem, and individual farmers can best protect themselves against welfare and economic difficulties by vaccinating their livestock. The Government have provided support by underwriting the vaccine ordered for use in England and Wales with the proviso that this cost is recovered as vaccine is used.

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