Marsh Farm to guard against Bluetongue (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Marsh Farm to guard against Bluetongue

4:59pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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A COUNTRY park will protect its livestock from the bluetongue virus with a new vaccine.

Marsh Farm Country Park, in South Woodham Ferrers, will use a new vaccine to fight against infection of the bluetongue virus in its livestock animals.

Staff at the park will vaccinate livestock at the end of the week.

Last autumn the park had to install a number of temporary safety measures, as fears grew over the spread of the virus.

Lisa Flecknell, a spokesperson for Marsh Park, said: "All of the 250 sheep will be vaccinated as well as the eight cows. Obviously it's a new thing but we are hoping that it will prevent infection."

The vaccine appears to have been welcomed by the other local farmers, who have chosen to buy the new product.

Mark and Kate Stevens, owners of Blue Barns Farm in Great Leighs, were among the Essex farmers who experienced bluetongue infection in one of their animals last year.

This year they have chosen to vaccinate around 350 of their 400 animals.

Mrs Stevens said: "I haven't done any research on the vaccine, but everyone's telling us that it's good so hopefully the vets know what they're talking about."

A spokeswoman for Defra said the new vaccine has been in development for more than a year by the company Intervet, which has a track record for producing diseases and vaccines.

She said: "The data supplied by Intervet have been assessed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) for safety, quality and efficacy in accordance with European guidelines.

"Intervet's vaccine is the first in the UK to receive a licence from the VMD, which is an important step and gives us confidence that the vaccine will be safe, effective and good quality.

"It has also been delivered well ahead of schedule, which gives us further confidence."

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