The National Beef Association Scotland (NBA) has started a petition from Scottish Beef Farmers to the European Commission calling for a common sense approach based on sound science for the use of vaccine to protect livestock in Scotland from encroaching Blue Tongue Virus Strain 8.

To date, the EU has refused to alter the rule that forbids blue tongue vaccination in a blue tongue-free country or region, unless that country or region declares itself to be a protection zone.

When a country declares a protection zone, free movement of animals into that zone from all other protection zones across Europe is permitted.

If Scotland declared a protection zone to allow breeders to vaccinate for blue tongue, it would result in a serious risk of blue tongue virus entering and spreading within Scotland, particularly during the six weeks before vaccination could be fully effective.

The NBA believes that Scottish livestock breeders would like the choice to vaccinate animals before the blue tongue virus arrives but are very concerned about declaring a protection zone because of the movement risks.

The organisation also believes that if Scotland begins a coordinated vaccination programme with structured monitoring and spot checks from the border with England and working northwards, the chance of blue tongue getting a hold will be significantly reduced.

The petition aims to allow the use of an approved vaccine outside the protection zone so that animals can be protected from the disease and to apply to the EU for a derogation, so that Scotland can be a region declared "free of blue tongue with vaccine", therefore avoiding the need to declare a protection zone.

l Intervet has been given the green light to commence production of its vaccine against blue tongue after it was granted approval this week by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

The first two million doses of the 22.5 million ordered by Defra for use in England is expected to come off the production line in May.

Freeze demanded on MHS cost increase
The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) and the British Meat Processors' Association (BMPA) have reacted angrily at the Food Standards Agency's imposition of an 8% increase in industry charges for meat inspection.

Both organisations object strongly that the "consultation process" had any real meaning at all and are now demanding an immediate freeze on the intended increase while the current transformation of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) is carried out.

Stuart Roberts, director of BMPA, said: "The industry already pays in excess of £20m towards the provision of meat hygiene inspection and it's completely unjustifiable to ask for even more when the service being provided is so inefficient and outdated.

"A 5% real-terms increase in costs when MHS is to cut costs by 18% doesn't add up."