Industry experts warn midges could spread disease as temperatures rise

LIVESTOCK farmers are being urged to vaccinate their animals now against Bluetongue Virus (BTV) before warmer weather brings an increase in midge activity.

Veterinary experts say early vaccination is the best way to protect sheep, cattle, goats and deer from the disease, which is primarily spread by biting midges of the Culicoides species.

Bluetongue can also occasionally be transmitted from an infected dam to its offspring or during mating.

Phil Thomas BVetMed from Iechyd Da warned that farmers should not delay.

“Vaccination is now the only tool left in the box – there is no treatment,” he said.

“The vaccine takes several weeks to build protection in sheep and cattle, so farmers need to act early to ensure their animals are protected before midge season begins.”

Serious economic impact

Bluetongue can cause significant losses for farms even when animals survive infection.

Industry experts warn the virus can lead to sudden drops in milk production in dairy herds, abortions and stillbirths, infertility in breeding animals, and severe welfare problems including swelling, lameness and breathing difficulties.

Where the risk comes from

The disease can spread through several routes.

Local midge populations may already carry the virus in areas where outbreaks have previously occurred, particularly along the English and Welsh borders. Infected midges can also be blown across the sea from affected regions such as Devon, Cornwall or the east coast of Ireland.

Livestock carrying the virus in their bloodstream can then infect local midge populations, potentially triggering new outbreaks.

Farmers are also advised to take care when buying animals, particularly if they are coming from affected areas.

Warmer weather increases danger

Unlike many livestock diseases, Bluetongue spreads through biting insects rather than direct contact between animals.

Once temperatures consistently reach around 12°C, midge activity increases rapidly. By the time farmers see insects or hear about nearby cases, their livestock may already be exposed.

Fiona Lovatt, a sheep health specialist from Flock Health, advised farmers to plan ahead.

“If I had valuable stock, I would definitely be vaccinating my breeding cows and ewes,” she said.

“They need to be fully protected at least three weeks before June and, for cattle, that means having both doses completed by then.”

Steps farmers should take now

Veterinary experts recommend farmers contact their vet as soon as possible to check vaccine availability and schedule vaccinations well before peak midge season.

Transporting livestock also carries risks, as infected animals moved into disease-free areas can infect local midge populations and start new outbreaks.

Good hygiene during veterinary procedures is also important. Bluetongue can be spread mechanically via needles, so needles should ideally be changed between animals.

Managing the risk

Midge activity is typically highest at dusk and dawn. Housing animals during these times may help reduce the risk of infection.

Farmers are also advised to ensure livestock are in good overall health. Conditions such as BVD or parasite burdens, as well as poor nutrition, can weaken the immune system and reduce the effectiveness of vaccination.

Vaccination concerns

Experts say there is no scientific evidence that bluetongue vaccination during pregnancy increases the risk of abortion compared with other routine livestock vaccines.

Abi Reader, NFU Cymru President and a farmer at Goldsland Farm, said her herd was vaccinated despite many animals being pregnant at the time.

“A large proportion of our livestock were at different stages of pregnancy when we vaccinated, but we didn’t hesitate,” she said.

“The risk to their health from the virus was simply far greater than the risk of vaccination.”

Reporting suspected cases

Bluetongue remains a notifiable disease.

Farmers who suspect an outbreak should contact their vet or the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately on 0300 303 8268.

Community events planned in lead-up to June street festival

BUSINESSES in Milford Haven are preparing for the return of the town’s popular Founder’s Day celebration, with a series of fundraising events planned in the coming months to support the much-loved community festival.

Members of Milford Haven Business Circle are once again organising Founder’s Day, which will take place on Saturday (Jun 6) on Charles Street.

The event has become a highlight of the town’s calendar, drawing together local businesses, performers, families and visitors for a day of entertainment and celebration in the heart of Milford Haven.

To help fund the event, organisers have put together a programme of community fundraising activities in the lead-up to June.

The first of these is a Curry Night hosted by The Taste of Haven café on Charles Street on Saturday (Mar 21). The evening will begin at 6:00pm and promises a curry-themed dining experience in a relaxed and sociable setting. Tickets cost £25 per person and can be booked directly through the café.

Next on the calendar is the Big Bingo Bash at the Boulevard Theatre on Friday (Apr 11). The family-friendly evening will offer a lively take on traditional bingo, with prizes and entertainment planned throughout the night. Doors open at 6:30pm, with eyes down at 7:00pm. Organisers are also inviting local businesses to donate prizes to support the fundraising effort.

Music fans will also have the chance to attend “Alfie – The Elvis Experience”, taking place at the Pill Social Centre on Saturday (Apr 25). The event will feature a tribute performance celebrating the music of Elvis Presley. Standard tickets are £10, while a VIP table package costing £100 includes seating for six people, nibbles and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Tickets are available from Moon Goddess Emporium on Charles Street, Ambulance Friends on Charles Street, or online via Eventbrite.

Another highlight in the fundraising programme will be StyleFest 26, a charity fashion show celebrating local style and creativity. The event is being organised in partnership with Captured Soul Photography and will showcase collections from Elizabeth Christie Bridalwear, Chic Boutique and Haverfordwest Soroptimists, who are sponsoring the prom section of the show.

Standard tickets for StyleFest 26 cost £10, with VIP tables available for £100 including seating for six guests, nibbles and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Organisers say they are also keen to hear from additional boutiques, models and creative professionals interested in taking part in the show. Hair stylists, makeup artists, backstage volunteers and technical support are also being invited to get involved.

Alongside the events, community raffles are also helping to boost the fundraising campaign. Local business Patch has donated two hampers, with tickets available at The Taste of Haven. Captured Soul Photography is also offering the chance to win a performing arts portfolio photography session worth £400 through a raffle on its Facebook page.

Organisers say the growing programme of events reflects strong support from Milford Haven’s business community and they hope residents and visitors will come along to enjoy the activities while helping support preparations for Founder’s Day.

When the event returns in June, Charles Street will once again be transformed into a lively celebration of the town’s businesses, creativity and community spirit.

THE RETAIL workers’ union Usdaw has criticised opposition parties in the Senedd after Members representing the Conservatives, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru voted against granting legislative consent for the UK Government’s Crime and Policing Bill.

The legislation includes measures aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and violent crime, including the introduction of Respect Orders, tougher penalties for low-value shoplifting and knife crime, and a specific offence covering assaults on retail workers.

Usdaw says it is now seeking clarification on whether the lack of Senedd consent means the measures will apply in Wales once the legislation is passed by the UK Parliament.

Joanne Thomas, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “It is difficult to understand why the main opposition parties in Wales would come together to oppose a new law to protect retail staff in the face of record incidents of shoplifting and very high levels of violence, threats and abuse against shop workers.

“We are now seeking clarification on whether the lack of Senedd consent will mean that these important measures will not apply in Wales when the legislation is passed in the UK Parliament.”

According to official crime statistics, police recorded 11,447 shoplifting offences in Wales in the year to March 2021. The latest figures show that number had risen to 23,009 by September last year.

Usdaw also highlighted findings from its survey of retail workers. Interim results from the union’s 2025 survey, based on 3,271 responses, found that in the previous 12 months 71 per cent of retail staff reported verbal abuse, 48 per cent said they had been threatened and nine per cent said they had been assaulted.

The union said that two-thirds of attacks on retail staff were triggered by incidents of theft or robbery.

Usdaw has campaigned for several years for stronger legal protections for shop workers through its “Freedom from Fear” campaign, which seeks measures to tackle violence, threats and abuse against retail staff.

The Crime and Policing Bill has already passed all stages in the House of Commons and is currently progressing through the House of Lords.

Opposition parties in the Senedd have argued that concerns over devolved powers and the legislative consent process influenced their decision not to support the motion.

The outcome has raised questions about how the legislation will apply in Wales once it completes its passage through the UK Parliament.