HAMPSHIRE farmers are being urged to obtain supplies of a new vaccine that aims to combat bluetongue disease.

One million doses of BTV8 have been made available to livestock owners in bluetongue protection zones, which include the New Forest and neighbouring parts of the county.

Bluetongue, which is spread by midges, can cause death, stillbirths and reduced productivity in sheep and cattle.

William White, regional director of the National Farmers' Union said: "The vaccine is coming in the nick of time, just before midges become really active on hot summer nights.

"We have an opportunity to stop this disease in its tracks and we hope there will be a 100 per cent uptake of vaccine."

BTV8, which is available from vets, has been developed by Intervet UK Ltd.

It has been produced ahead of schedule in a move that has been welcomed by Joint Action Against Bluetongue (JAB), which comprises agricultural organisations.

A JAB spokesman said: "Its early delivery should put keepers in a good position to protect their livestock before midge activity increases as the weather gets warmer.

"It means vaccination can begin immediately in the current protection zones."

The New Forest has been a protection zone since the middle of February, when a case of bluetongue was discovered in Dorset.

At the end of March the zone was extended after an infected animal was found in the Forest itself.

Farmers in the affected area, which now includes Test Valley, Eastleigh, Southampton, Fareham and the Isle of Wight, are banned from transporting sheep and cattle outside the zone.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn welcomed the new vaccine.

He said: "The success of our control and vaccination strategy will ultimately depend on the industry itself and I strongly support the industry-led campaign to promote vaccination.

"The message to animal keepers is clear - don't hesitate, vaccinate."