Order placed for Bluetongue Vaccine

20 December 2007

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that it is placing an order with animal health company Intervet to supply 22.5 million doses of Bluetongue vaccine. This follows a full assessment of the three bids submitted during the tender process announced by Defra on 1 November. Intervet UK’s General Manager Jim Hungerford comments: “I am very pleased that Defra has selected Intervet to supply the 22.5 million doses of Bluetongue vaccine. We are working intensively to supply vaccine to the UK as soon as possible and look forward to supporting the UK industry in its fight against this devastating disease. As the global leader in the development and supply of vaccines to support animal health and welfare we have been actively working on this virus since its emergence in Northern Europe in 2006. We are very pleased that the Animal Health and Welfare Minister, Jeff Rooker, has recognised that the Intervet vaccine will offer the best value and most effective option to farmers.” In keeping with the principles set out in the Bluetongue Control Strategy, which was developed in partnership with the farming industry, Defra has stated that livestock keepers will be offered the opportunity to purchase vaccine from the vaccine bank.