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Discounted Bluetongue vaccine for farmers

   

News Release

Ref: 105/09
Date: 7 May 2009

Defra has today announced that its remaining Bluetongue vaccine stocks will be discounted by 50%, effective from Thursday 7 May. 

We hope that this discount will be passed on throughout the supply chain, which means that the end price of vaccine could be expected to fall from its current price of around 66-79p per ml plus VAT, to 33p-39p per ml plus VAT.

The remaining Merial vaccine, in 100ml bottles, is being reduced to encourage uptake and reduce taxpayer liability before it expires later in the year.

Nigel Gibbens, Chief Veterinary Officer, said:

“This is an added incentive for those farmers who have not yet vaccinated their animals, or who are looking to give their stock a booster during the summer. With midges already active, and the Met Office predicting a warmer summer than last year, conditions for the spread of Bluetongue may be ideal. Livestock keepers should take this opportunity to buy their vaccine at a discounted price, before the Government stocks are no longer available”.

The Bluetongue Core Group, made up of industry representatives and veterinary professionals welcomed the discounted vaccine as a positive and necessary step for Government to recover some of its costs while helping to promote uptake of vaccine.

Due to the efforts of farmers who vaccinated last year, the UK is now in a situation without evidence of circulating disease, and a subsequently reduced appetite to vaccinate. The situation on the Continent is still uncertain therefore farmers need to recognise the ongoing risk to their livelihoods, and take the opportunity to vaccinate now, while discounted vaccine is available.

Farmers wishing to order vaccine should speak to their vet as soon as possible.   

Notes to editors

  1. Government underwrote the purchase of 28 million doses of BTV-8 vaccine in 2008 when it was most needed.
  2. Vaccination is voluntary, and reduced uptake in 2009 has meant the Government remains with unused stocks.
  3. At end April 2009, Defra remains in possession of around 7.5 million doses of unsold BTV-8 vaccine in 100ml Merial bottles, at a potential cost to the taxpayer of £3.3 million if unsold. These remaining stocks are due to expire at various points from mid June to end August this year.
  4. To ensure the best possible return to the taxpayer, Defra looked into options to mitigate losses. These included the possibility of selling stocks abroad and discounting stocks on the domestic market. 
  5. Government currently sells its stocks to wholesalers at 44p per ml, remaining stocks will now be sold at 22p per ml.
  6. Whilst we cannot guarantee the final price of vaccine, the level of discount chosen reflects current market conditions and information on the range and lowest available prices.
  7. Retrospective discounts will not be applied.
  8. The Welsh Assembly Government is also applying the same discount to its remaining Merial stocks. 

End

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Page published: 7 May 2009