Scotland divided over vaccination

The vaccination issue has divided opinion

Divisions have emerged in Scotland over the issue of introducing a vaccination programme in order to control the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Jim Walker, President of the National Farmers' Union north of the Border, said a widespread scheme could not be justified as the disease has had less of an impact than in England.

He said the issue was being used as a political argument.

But Dumfriesshire farmer Toby Tennant said such a programme should be introduced to stop the disease from "rampaging ahead of policy".

Jim Walker: No case for widespread vaccination

Prime Minister Tony Blair is currently considering whether to introduce vaccination as a means of controlling and eventually eradicating the disease.

However, concerns have been expressed that the domestic export market could be severely damaged if the move is taken.

Mr Walker told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I do agree there will be a limited case for vaccination in Scotland.

"But as far as Dumfriesshire is concerned the disease is completely under control because there is sporadic outbreaks beyond the River Nith to the west and isolated cases up in the Moffat area.

"If they can be taken out and we don't get much more lateral spread then I think we can beat this disease in that area".

Confirmed farms in Scotland include

94 cases on 28 March

Lockerbie (13 cases)

Canonbie (13)

Gretna (17)

Lochmaben(4)

Twynholm(2)

Langholm

Beattock(5)

Corrie

Ruthwell(5)

Tundergarth

Moffat (2)

Dalton(2)

Torthorward

Mouswald(6)

Hightae(3)

Kirtlebridge(2)

Creca

Collin(2)

Kirkpatrick Fleming(2)

Annan (3)

Troqueer

New Abbey(2)

Haugh of Urr

St Anns

Eastriggs

Ecclefechan

Newcastleton

But Mr Tennant said: "We believe by bringing in vaccination we could begin to contain the disease.

"We see the disease rampaging on ahead of the slaughter policy and no prospect of a firebreak being installed in time.

"We believe by bringing in vaccination we could begin to contain the disease, though we are under no illusions that this is a long haul ahead of us.

"Is the price we want to pay affordable? Do we want to lose irreplaceable blood lines without really knowing at this time where it will all end".

The farming community is alarmed with predictions that up to four million animals may have to be culled as a result of the epidemic.

A 'quick fix'

Mr Tennant said farmers wanted to know how many millions of animals would have to be lost before a vaccination programme or similar measure would be used.

Head of the Veterinary Science for the Scottish Agricultural College, Alastair Greig, said a strategic vaccination programme should be considered.

Mr Greig said by looking at the map of Dumfries and Galloway, the disease was concentrated in the three areas of Canonbie, Lockerbie and Gretna.

He said there had been no lateral spread and there was limited potential for vaccination.

Mr Walker said: "This was one of the reasons why I tried to draw a differentiation between Scotland and the rest of Britain last week in case panic measures set in, with the politicians running about in London trying to find any quick fix".