I have had the latest update from the head of the British Goat Veterinary Society who is attending all the DEFRA meetings on the spread of this dreadful disease.  It sounds absolutely dire. The government in England have decided NOT to make vaccination compulsory, relying instead on farmers’ goodwill. What they are not factoring in is farmers IGNORANCE.  It’s a very complex disease and there are already a number of “myths” circulating about it around here such as young animals don’t get it, don’t vaccinate pregnant animals or the calves/lambs will get it and, my favourite, if my neighbours are going to vaccinate I don’t need to!!

We need 80% of the animal population in an area to be vaccinated for this to be effective. That means ALL the animals on a holding. Given that the wild life (mainly deer) population around here would account for 5% that means only 15% of animal in  an area can safely be left unvaccinated if we are to prevent this disease getting firmly established and out of control. Totally unrealistic given the cash-strapped nature of many farming enterprises round here. DEFRA also have no effective monitoring plan in place. They will have no way of knowing what percentage of animals in an area or on a holding are vaccinated!

It’s times like this when I wish I lived in Scotland where the scheme is to be compulsory. Vaccinate or face 3 months in jail or a £5000 fine!