The Institute of Auctioneers in Scotland is disappointed with the recent announcement from Scottish Government on Bluetongue restrictions which will have a significant impact on our members and their farming customers operating cross border, particularly, though not exclusively, businesses in the south of Scotland.
In recent consultation with Scottish Government, we recommended a focus on vaccination would be the most progressive policy for trade and livestock protection. With the virus confirmed in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, it is likely to be only a matter of time before it reaches South-West Scotland through infected midges, regardless of restrictions on movement.
Our proposal that any animal fully vaccinated with any BTV vaccine – not only cattle vaccinated with Bultavo-3 -be allowed to move cross border during the restricted period was aligned with most other organisations. It is regrettable that the Scottish Government has not adopted this approach, nor fully considered the economic repercussions at a time when geo-political issues are already causing significant inflationary pressures at the farm gate and in the supply chain. These movement restrictions risk impacting around 50,000 animal movements and £35m of livestock values during the period of 1 June to 9 September.
Institute members will continue to support customers to trade their livestock this summer as seamlessly as possible and continue to advise farmers to vaccinate when they are handling livestock in coming weeks.