WEST Dorset farmers can breathe easy now that the vaccine for bluetongue has arrived.

Dorset is among the first areas in the east of Eng-land to receive the vaccine.

West Dorset NFU secretary Paul Bennett said: "The vaccine has become available sooner than we thought. Farmers and their vets who ordered the vaccine should have it available now or in the very near future.

"While the scheme to vaccinate is voluntary, farmers and livestock keepers should be under no illusion this is a devastating disease if it hits your flock or herd.

"There is no government compensation scheme."

Bluetongue spread from Northern Europe to the east of England in the autumn of last year. At that time of year the disease was not very virulent but now in its second season it is far more dangerous, said Mr Bennett.

Sheep flocks in Germany and Belgium have reported up to 41 per cent mortality and more than 17 per cent in cattle.

Infected but surviving animals suffer from infertility, increased abortion rates, loss of condition and milk yield, an inability to swallow and therefore eat properly and an increased risk of secondary health problems such as mastitis and lameness. It is a painful disease especially in sheep, added Mr Bennett.

Bluetongue is spread via midges. The UK has four of the specific types that carry the disease in its resident population. The disease poses no threat to humans, but as well as sheep and cattle being at risk so are goats and alpacas. Pigs and horses are not affected.

Farmers have to buy the vaccine themselves, it is a dead vaccine and as well as giving immunity to the cattle and sheep treated it means the "animal standstill" in Dorset will be coming to an end.

Further details from the Beaminster NFU on 01308 862774.