A relative of mine had a curious conversation with someone from Trading Standards this week. He was told that a case of Blue Tongue had been confirmed in cattle at Silverstone, Northants this week but that DEFRA had decided not to class this as an outbreak because it was only one animal. This seems curious since other outbreaks have already been included in the restricted zone on the basis of one animal only - Peterborough for example became included in the East Anglian zone on the basis of one sheep.
The chap at Trading Standards said that he was suspicious that DEFRA didn't want to extend the zone as Intervet are only committed to providing 2 million doses of the vaccine in May and DEFRA didn't want to cause a panic.
Has anyone else heard anything about the Silverstone case?
Blue Tongue in Northants? - Rumour of outbreak
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natmadaboutdexters
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:49 pm
- Location: Brackley
We live a few miles from Silverstone, in Brackley and have not heard of any outbreak. I will ask around the local farmers and see if they know anything. Our cattle are already in a protection zone because they are over the border in Bucks and it is only 4 miles from Silverstone! I wouldn't trust trading standards or DEFRA as far as I could throw them so wouldn't be surprised if they are trying to cover something up! Lets not forget Pirbright.
Natasha
Natasha
As our main Needles Hall Herd is based at Silverstone I felt sick when i read this.However i have just spoken to our vet at Towcester who assures me that there has NOT been a case of BTV at silverstone reported/suspected/ confirmed.And even if this 'case' was under the care of another vet locally DEFRA would inform them.He said it sounds more like a 'case' of trading standards B*LLOCKS!!!Relief for now at least