The ICMSA has called for the Bluetongue Vaccine to be made available in smaller volumes than the current minimum of 50 vaccines in the interests of lowering costs on farmers.

Its deputy president Eamon Carroll said the 50-vaccine minimum is acting as a disincentive to vaccinate and is also leading to wastage of the vaccine itself.

‘ICMSA has been contacted by members in recent days highlighting the fact that they can only purchase the Bluetongue Vaccine at a minimum of 50 vaccines meaning that a farmer with 30 animals has to pay for 50 vaccines while a farmer with 180 animals has to pay for 200 vaccines,’ he said.

Mr. Carroll added: ‘A very simple and completely workable solution is to make available smaller allocations of 10 or 20 vaccines so that farmers can purchase the amount required for their own herd, thus minimising the cost and also ensuring that vaccine is not unnecessarily wasted.’

 Mr Carroll concluded by noting the huge concern in relation to the potential impact of Bluetongue over the coming months and the Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine must ensure that farmers are facilitated in every way possible to vaccinate their animals and this must include the availability of vaccine in smaller volumes.