Bluetongue tests 'stunned' farmer

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The farmer at the centre of a bluetongue outbreak in north Wales has said he is "stunned" some of his cattle have tested positive for the virus.

Tests on seven cattle imported from France by Owain Llyr Morgan are being carried out again after two bulls tested positive for the type 8 virus.

He said the cattle had all been vaccinated for bluetongue before moving from the Limoges area in France.

Earlier, the Rural Affairs Minister urged farmers to vaccinate cattle.

Mr Morgan, who runs a farm in Ruthin, said in a statement that the seven Limousin cattle were from some of the top breeders from the protected zone in France.

He said they arrived on 10 September and routine testing was carried out.

We will continue to work with the authorities in every way possible Owain Llyr Morgan

"We are stunned by the result and that this has happened," said Mr Morgan.

"We are just one of a number of farmers who legally import high quality stock from the European Union.

"The cattle have now been retested and we are awaiting these results and further guidance from the state veterinary service.

"We will continue to work with the authorities in every way possible."

Vaccination

Earlier, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the take-up of the bluetongue vaccine by Welsh farmers to protect cattle was "hugely disappointing".

But the minister said she was not considering making the vaccination compulsory.

Farmers have been urged to vaccinate cattle against bluetongue

She said: "We have urged, the farming unions have urged, and others have urged for the vaccine to be taken up by the farmers, and that is the priority if farmers are to keep their livestock free of this disease."

Wales' chief veterinary officer Christianne Glossop said making vaccination compulsory was "possible" but called on farmers to take responsibility for their livestock.

"It's not a question of whether it should be compulsory or not - farmers should be recognising that there is a risk in north Wales right now and they should be doing what they can to protect their stock," she said.

Asked whether farmers in the Ruthin area should be worried, Ms Glossop said farmers throughout Wales should be concerned.

Earlier this month a bluetongue protection zone was extended to cover the whole of Wales after cases of the disease were found in Devon.

Under European livestock rules, once an area has been designated a protected zone, vaccinations can be issued.

Bluetongue is spread by midges and cannot be passed to humans.

It is most common in late summer and autumn when the midge population is at its peak.