Schmallenberg Update

Early lambing flocks across England and Wales are experiencing higher than normal still births and deformities due to the Schmallenberg virus (SBV).  The industry is calling for a vaccine to be made available this year.  Some farmers are reporting lamb losses of up to 40% and an increase in ewe mortality due to lambing difficulties as the lambs are so deformed.   Although nothing can be done for the current crop as infection would have taken place in early autumn the industry including the NFU are calling for every effort to be made to ensure a vaccine is available later this year to stop the spread of the disease.  SBV has spread across England, Wales and into the Scottish Borders and has been confirmed on more than 1,000 farms although it is only classed as ‘low impact’ by DEFRA and the EU Commission and is not actually a notifiable disease.