The Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB) is launching a series of roadshow meetings to give updates on Bluetongue disease to local farmers, vets and the wider industry.
The meetings will be staged across the south of England, the area of the country most at risk.
Audiences will be able to hear about what clinical signs to look out for, what to do if Bluetongue is suspected and find out more about the vaccine to assess the risk to the farm and stock.
Bluetongue is caused by a virus transmitted by biting midges, which are most active between May and October and can infect all ruminants such as sheep, cattle, goats and deer.
The disease is currently circulating in France and Defra has analysed the risk to livestock in the UK. The country is said to be at risk of an outbreak during the spring or summer months, with an outbreak in late summer rated the most likely.
NFU animal health and welfare adviser Rebecca Veale said: “We are targeting farming communities across the south of England as we know that this is likely to be the route of transmission by infected midges being blown across from France where the situation is being carefully monitored.
“The meetings that are being organised will include presentations from vets, scientists and NFU advisers and the audiences can also get involved in question and answer sessions.”
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