RABDF Calls for Livestock Import Ban from BT Restricted Zones 28/11/08

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has called for an immediate ban on imports of all species from all Bluetongue restricted zones globally in order to protect the UK’s animal health status and save farmers from further vaccination costs.

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“While we currently operate a free trade policy within Europe, I believe the UK should introduce an immediate ban on cattle and sheep imports from all Bluetongue restricted zones throughout the EU and beyond, regardless of the virus serotype,” says RABDF chairman, Lyndon Edwards. “Live imports are simply quite unnecessary, therefore why play Russian roulette with British cattle and sheep? For those farmers seeking quality genetics, they can import either semen or embryos; for the remainder, then a quick fix approach may seem easy, however when the repercussions are considered, it is totally nonsensical and we’re merely short changing ourselves.

“If BTV1 or any other Bluetongue serotype were to arrive undetected for any period of time in the UK, then not only will herds be shut down, but we will also be faced with another massive vaccination programme and accompanying expenditure, at a time when we are on the verge of introducing an animal health and welfare strategy featuring increased farmer costs and responsibility.”

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