An announcement made by Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on Friday (May 16) means farms in the district will be able to vaccinate cattle and sheep against the potentially devastating disease.

Vaccination is only permitted within the bluetongue protection zone, which was in place in East Anglia and the south of England but has now been extended to include all of Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire and Somerset.

Animals can only be moved out of the protection zone if they are vaccinated, naturally immune or being moved for slaughter, though movement within the zone is unrestricted.

The non-contagious virus is spread by midges and 127 farms have been infected since it was first reported in Britain last year.

Simon Fisher, co-ordinator for the Nation Farmers' Union's bluetongue campaign, said: "The threat of bluetongue disease has increased recently as the warmer weather will have increased midge activity, which increases the likelihood of infection."

Defra have made an additional three million doses of vaccine available for use in the protection zone and farmers are being encouraged to take action to vaccinate their livestock.

Helen Woolley, regional director of the Country Land and Business Association, said: "Vaccination is the only viable option for controlling this disease and is something we have been pressing for from the outset. It is vital that we move swiftly and decisively if we are to have any hope of stopping this disease from spreading.

"Bringing this disease under control is an essential part of ensuring that the UK livestock sector can regain an economically sound footing."