Local MSP Craig Hoy has warned that the potentially huge cost of bluetongue vaccination could jeopardise the future of remote hill farming businesses across Dumfriesshire which are already struggling to remain viable.
Mr Hoy pressed the Scottish Government to guarantee supplies of bluetongue vaccine for farmers in Dumfriesshire and provide financial support for those facing significant vaccination costs.
He raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament after visiting the Benty Show, where livestock were absent amid concerns over the spread of bluetongue.
Mr Hoy said farmers across Dumfriesshire were increasingly worried about the outbreak and uncertain about when local vets would have access to sufficient supplies of vaccine.
He also highlighted the potentially crippling cost of protecting livestock, telling Parliament that one hill farmer from Langholm had estimated that vaccinating their flock could cost close to £20,000.
Questioning Rural Affairs Minister Jim Fairlie, Mr Hoy said:
“I spent the weekend at the Benty Show in my constituency, where, understandably, there was no livestock. Local farmers in Dumfriesshire are clearly anxious and are unsure when local vets will have sufficient vaccine supply.
“They know that the process could be costly, with one Langholm hill farmer telling me that the cost of vaccinating her flock could be close to £20,000—money that is not readily available.
“Given that my constituents are paying a heavy price to provide the circuit breaker that might or might not be successful in stopping the virus spreading in Scotland, how will the minister ensure that adequate vaccine supply can be assured for the south-west?
“How will he determine how financial support can be made available to farmers who were already struggling before the worrying outbreak of bluetongue in the south-west?”
Responding, Mr Fairlie said the Scottish Government is seeking to ensure vaccines are available across Scotland because of the likelihood that the disease would spread.
He added that work was taking place with other parts of the UK to divert vaccine supplies into Scotland and said the Scottish Government would “continue to support our farmers and crofters”.
Following the exchange, Mr Hoy said:
“Farmers across Dumfriesshire are deeply worried about bluetongue and the consequences it could have for their livestock, businesses and livelihoods.
“I’m particularly concerned about remote hill farms. They are an essential part of our rural economy and communities, and many were already under severe financial pressure before this outbreak.
“When a hill farmer is looking at a possible bill of close to £20,000 simply to vaccinate their flock, these additional costs could jeopardise businesses already struggling to remain viable.
“If we lose these farms, we do not just lose agricultural businesses. We risk losing generations of farming knowledge, jobs and families from some of our most fragile rural communities, as well as the people who manage our countryside.
“The south-west is on the front line of efforts to contain this disease, and farmers here should not carry a disproportionate financial burden for measures intended to protect livestock across Scotland.
“Farmers need clarity on what financial help will be available and confidence that, when they are ready to vaccinate, their local vets will have sufficient supplies.
“Our farmers are being asked to play their part in protecting livestock across Scotland. The Scottish Government must play its part by ensuring vaccines are available and providing meaningful financial support, so the cost of tackling bluetongue does not put the future of remote hill farming at risk.”
