THE National Farmers’ Union is calling on all livestock owners to take extra care when importing from abroad and to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue disease.

West Midlands farmers are calling on those with sheep and cattle to be vigilant when sourcing animals from parts of the European Union where bluetongue disease is known to be circulating.

They are also calling on all farmers to support the Joint Campaign against Bluetongue, JAB, and to vaccinate all their animals against the midge-borne virus if they have not already done so.

Although there is no evidence the BTV8 virus is circulating in the region, it is important that livestock keepers make efforts to protect their stock and safeguard their livelihoods.

The NFU understands and recognises the pressures on livestock farmers to source top genetics and buy animals from abroad but is keen to ensure they take the tightest possible control measures in order to safeguard their own stock and that of other livestock farmers.

Mervin Mullard, who is chairman of the NFU West Midlands livestock board, said: “It is very important that livestock keepers do all that they can to help protect their animals against bluetongue disease.

“We also have to look very seriously at every import that comes in, try to manage without if possible, as it is just so important to protect against this virus.”

The NFU West Midlands office and other organisations in the livestock industry launched JAB over the summer and urged farmers to place vaccine orders with their vets.

JAB aims to get 100 per cent of cattle and sheep vaccinated against the virus and a series of meetings has also been held to keep farmers up-to-date.

Funding and support for the JAB campaign has come from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and around 11,500 campaign cards have been sent out to farmers and livestock keepers across the region.

Livestock holders were also made aware of JAB at county shows and other events.

Herefordshire NFU chairman David Morgan, who farms at Peterchurch, said: “We should be making sure that movements from the EU match the criteria that farmers in England and Wales had to meet when we wanted to move animals from the protection zone into the clear area.

“Those who feel the need to import breeding stock should take extra care and ensure that testing and vaccinating takes place before the animals cross the water.”

Worcestershire NFU chairman Bill Beckett, who farms at Belbroughton, urged members to speak with their vets and then to vaccinate their animals.

He said: “I would ask all members to support JAB and if they are bringing animals from abroad to ensure sheep and cattle have been correctly vaccinated and are not carrying the bluetongue virus.

“The JAB slogan is don’t hesitate, vaccinate and I would urge everyone to do their bit to protect their animals and the industry.”

For further information, go to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/dis eases/notifiable/bluetongue/ index.htm.