Bluetongue Outbreak (Vaccine Procurement)

I fully understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for livestock keepers who are dealing with the impacts of the disease on their stock.

As I said to Senga Beresford during questions on the statement that I made to Parliament on 9 September on the bluetongue virus in the south-west of Scotland, the Government already provides the most comprehensive package of support to the livestock sector through direct payments and targeted grants.

We also support farmers through horizon scanning and alert systems, which forewarned us that bluetongue was coming ever closer to Scotland—not least because the restriction zone that was imposed by the United Kingdom Government covered the whole of the land base of England.

The Scottish Government also provides advice and practical guidance on the implementation and maintenance of control measures, which include the testing of suspect animals, wider surveillance and veterinary investigations.

Vaccination of stock is a commercial decision, and the Scottish Government has done its bit in licensing the vaccine in Scotland and working with other Governments, industry and manufacturers to ensure continuity of supply, but I must reiterate that demand for vaccine needs to be generated within the industry.

The Government was not reactive; the Government was very proactive. We were messaging the livestock sector that the only way to protect stock was through vaccination. There was vaccine in the country but, because of the low uptake, it was directed back to the European Union, and it then had to be brought back because there was an outbreak of bluetongue. Those in the farming community will have to address the issue by ensuring that they put in their orders to buy their vaccine for the season coming.

I do not believe that a paid campaign is required. The farming community are very well aware of what is going on. They can see it in the papers. I have spoken to farmers from the south to the very north, and everybody knows about bluetongue. They know that it is there, and they know that it has now gotten into Scotland. It is therefore in their best interests to protect their investment and ensure that they get their livestock vaccinated before the next season.

I ask the minister to address the vets issue.

I see that we have consensus across the chamber, as both Andrew Baxter and Finlay Carson are asking exactly the same question—and the answer is exactly the same. The farming community are very well aware of the risks associated with bluetongue. We do not need a targeted, funded campaign. I am more than happy to keep talking about it. Individual members are talking to their rural constituents. We know that bluetongue is here, so farmers have a responsibility to protect their own livestock by ordering the vaccine and giving the companies that provide the vaccine plenty of notice that a demand-led programme is coming.