Sheep farmers asked to state their bluetongue vaccine plans, so supplies are there when needed

National Sheep Association (NSA) is asking sheep farmers across the UK how many animals they intend to vaccinate against bluetongue in 2027, and what their appetite is for committing to purchasing, in a survey designed to give manufacturers the confidence to produce enough vaccine.

The outbreak of bluetongue is impacting sheep farmers across the UK. The high volume of cases has led to supply challenges of the BTV-3 vaccine. NSA is working with manufacturers, veterinary surgeons and government to make sure that shortage is not repeated.

The difficulty is one of timing.  Producing vaccines is a process that takes several months and manufacturers commit to production volumes many months before the season begins.  For BTV3 vaccines this now means that new production runs will be mainly for the Spring 2027 season.  Without a credible indication of how much vaccine farmers will buy, there is little to justify producing it at scale.

The survey is intended to provide a strong indication of demand that will influence manufacturers decisions, so it is vital that farmers respond.
"Farmers are experiencing challenges to gaining access to the vaccine, and NSA is determined that it does not happen again," said Phil Stocker, Chief Executive of the National Sheep Association.

"Manufacturers cannot be expected to produce an unlimited volume of vaccine on the strength of good intentions. They need indications of numbers and also a level of commitment. This survey is our chance to give them those numbers, and to do it early enough to make a difference to what gets made.  NSA has long encouraged sheep farmers to pre order vaccines as part of a forward flock health plan and this is a good example of the importance of this.

"Every response strengthens the case. If you keep sheep, please take five minutes and tell us what you are planning."

Alongside vaccination intentions, the survey asks farmers how many sheep they would want to protect in each group, whether they would be prepared to place an advance order through their vet this autumn, and what conditions they would need to see met before committing.

It also asks a question that has not been put to the sector before. Farmers are asked whether they would seek out vaccinated sheep when buying in, and whether they would expect to be paid more for selling stock they can confirm as vaccinated. If a market preference for protected sheep is emerging, that shapes vaccination decisions in a way that disease risk alone does not.

NSA will publish the combined findings and share them directly with manufacturers, veterinary practices and government.

"NSA are not asking farmers to sign anything or spend anything today," Mr Stocker added. "NSA are asking them to be honest about what they expect to do, so that the people making supply decisions have something solid to work from."

The survey takes less than five minutes. Individual responses are confidential and results will be reported only as combined figures.

The survey is open until 13th of September 2026 at BTV Vaccine Survey.