It was confirmed yesterday that a compulsory vaccination programme will be launched this winter to protect Scotland�s livestock industry against the spread of bluetongue virus.

It was confirmed yesterday that a compulsory vaccination programme will be launched this winter to protect Scotland's livestock industry against the spread of bluetongue virus.

The programme will not begin before the start of November and will depend on the prevalence of midges that spread the disease among animals. All cattle and sheep in Scotland, almost seven million animals, must be inoculated by the end of April.

Other susceptible species, such as goats, deer, lamas and alpacas and non-farm animals such as buffalo and giraffes in zoos will be vaccinated on a voluntary basis.

The Scottish Government has agreed to pay half the manufacturing costs of the vaccine (approximately £2.5m) up to a maximum of £3m in the first year. The remainder will be met by the industry.

Speaking after a meeting with the industry, where stakeholders unanimously agreed to the compulsory winter vaccination programme, Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead said the need to vaccinate this year had been reinforced by the increased risk to Scotland from recent incidents of bluetongue in England.

Referring to the threat of farmers importing the disease, as has happened on seven occasions south of the border, Lochhead said: "The anger amongst stakeholders was palpable."

EU regulations prevent Scotland banning such imports.

Nevertheless, Lochhead stressed: "Farmers should continue to avoid buying animals from high-risk areas wherever possible."

Tenants team up with lawyers The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) has negotiated an arrangement with agricultural law specialists in Terra Firma Chambers Advocates that allows STFA members to obtain counsel's opinion for an agreed fee and within an agreed time scale.

Terra Firma was formed in January 2008 and its members specialise in property, planning and environmental law. It includes some of the most experienced agricultural lawyers at the Scottish bar.

The STFA already operates a scheme where its members can get half an hour of free legal advice on agricultural tenancy matters over the telephone from the solicitors firm Blackadders.

In addition, it maintains a panel of approved solicitors that it recommends to its members for their legal work. This new scheme now allows any member of that panel of solicitors to instruct an advocate from Terra Firma to provide a written legal opinion for an STFA member on any legal problem without the uncertainty of knowing how much it might cost or how long it will take.

STFA chairman Angus McCall said the deal will aid farmers in this crucial area. "We are very pleased to have negotiated this agreement with Terra Firma," he said. "Agricultural law has become so important to tenants and is so complex and rapid, high-quality specialist advice at an affordable rate is essential at an early stage."