A major vaccination programme to inoculate farm livestock at risk of the bluetongue virus was yesterday launched by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead.

Compulsory vaccines for Scottish cattle and sheep will cost £2.6 million, half of which is being funded by the Scottish Government in its first year of the programme.  

The Scottish Government has also suggested that other susceptible animals like deer, goats and zoo animals should voluntarily receive the vaccine. 

Commenting on the vaccine launch, Lochhead said: "The bluetongue virus poses a real, potentially devastating, threat to the Scottish livestock sector.  A whole-scale compulsory vaccination programme is the only way to properly protect our industry."

However, he stressed: "While the compulsory approach will ensure that all farm animals are protected against bluetongue, it is only one line of defence.

"It remains vitally important that care is taken in sourcing stock and that high risk areas are avoided."

NFU Scotland president Jim McLaren added: "It remains a major disappointment to Scotland's farmers that control policies elsewhere in Europe have failed to curb the threat that bluetongue disease poses to our lifeline livestock sector.

"Industry stakeholders have agreed that compulsory vaccination now presents the best option to protect our livestock against this devastating disease.

"We have a window of opportunity between now and the end of April to put that protection in place and we would urge all producers to take the time to discuss their vaccine requirements and vaccination timing with their vet."

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has raised concern about the impact of the new vaccine programme, in terms of cost and reduced export, and has called on the Scottish Government to explain its decision to introduce a compulsory scheme.