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News Archive 2008

18/01/2008

Brussels to pay for Bluetongue vaccine

MEP welcomes move that should ensure universal vaccination across EU

Conservative MEP for Wales Jonathan Evans has welcomed assurances from the EU's Health Commissioner that the European Commission will pay the full cost of purchasing Bluetongue vaccine and half of the administration costs.He called on the British Government to take the Commission's offer by declaring an 'emergency' vaccination programme.

Commissioner Kyprianou told a Bluetongue conference in Brussels that the Commission estimates 150 million to 200 million vaccines will be needed at a cost of around 3p per vaccine. The Commissioner said he hoped that vaccination against the serotype (strain) affecting England can begin in April. The UK has already ordered 22.5 million doses of Bluetongue vaccine.

Mr Evans said:"While fortunately Wales is not in the Bluetongue Restriction zone the impact of the restrictions have been felt by farmers here.

“The European Commission will pay most of the costs associated with an emergency vaccination plan, but the British Government must classify the vaccination as an emergency first.

"If the EU is offering to pay towards the bill, it would be nonsensical to reject it. Our government must not always be so timid when it comes to asking for our money back from the EU.

"The only long-term solution to Bluetongue is a vaccination programme."

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