DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (105/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service on 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.
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