A VACCINE against the deadly Schmallenberg virus has been licensed and will be available to farmers this summer.

UK farmers are the first in the European Union to be able to vaccinate their livestock against the virus that has caused stillbirths and birth defects in lambs and calves.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has licensed veterinary pharmaceutical company MSD Animal Health to provide the “Bovolis SBV” vaccine.

VMD chief executive, Pete Borriello, said: “This is the culmination of intensive activity on the part of MSD Animal Health and the VMD to make a safe and effective vaccine available to tackle Schmallenberg.

“Without in any way compromising the scientific rigour of our assessment process, we accelerated our assessment so that a vaccine will be available this summer.”

This means it will be possible to vaccinate sheep and cattle before most of them become pregnant when exposure to the virus can cause damage to the foetus. The government’s deputy chief veterinary officer, Alick Simmons, said: “The vaccine will give extra assurance against this disease on top of the natural immunity we expect sheep and cattle to develop after initial exposure.”

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is delighted the VMD has granted the licence.

Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive, said: “NSA called for a vaccine some time ago and we are absolutely delighted both MSD Animal Health and VMD acted as quickly as possible in the development and licensing processes, while also ensuring rigorous safety checks.

“We are particularly pleased the vaccine licence indicates sheep need just one jab, as this avoids the expense, stress and inconvenience of having to gather and inject sheep twice.

“The work done by both parties to provide and corroborate evidence for this is hugely appreciated by the sheep sector, along with the commitment to move rapidly in getting this product to market.

“The decision about whether to vaccinate or not will be down to each individual farmer, their business model, infection history, lambing pattern and location.

“NSA urges farmers to talk to their vet in advance of tupping, so that if vaccination is seen as the best route, there is enough time to implement a programme and fully protect stock.”