The National Sheep Association (NSA) is demanding strategic “government-level action” to secure a “reliable” vaccine supply.
The association said it has written to the Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD), Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and vaccine manufacturers and distributors, calling on them to take action to secure reliable vaccine supplies.
Over the past three years, the availability of vital vaccines for sheep, and beef, has become scarce it said.
It said it is “especially concerned” that the lack of available vaccines will have adverse effects on animal health and welfare.
“We know that improved health leads to reduction in waste, productivity gains, and lower carbon footprints, as well as more responsible use of antibiotics,” NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said.
“However, as vaccine availability has become a serious issue it is negatively impacting the health and welfare of animals, at the time when we need vaccines most.
“NSA is worried that after all the efforts made to encourage vaccine use, many farmers will have no choice but to stop vaccinating and if they see few immediate problems getting them to start again will be difficult.”
A spokesperson for the department of agriculture said that while it appreciates the “importance” of maintaining supplies, there can be occasional disruption to availability as a consequence of “large global demand and manufacturing issues”.
“The VMD has well-established procedures to deal with supply issues that do arise and work with the veterinary pharmaceutical industry and those operating in the supply chain to understand and minimise risks where possible,” the spokesperson added.
