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Farming Today: Farming Today This Week

Farming Today This Week

10/03/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Farming Today This Week

Schmallenberg - the science behind the spread of this new virus. With Charlotte Smith.

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside. Charlotte Smith explores the science behind the spread of Schmallenberg, a new virus harming UK livestock.

Schmallenberg virus was never heard of before last summer. Now over 3,000 animals across Europe have this disease which causes birth defects in lambs and calves. 

Charlotte Smith visits the Royal Veterinary College's farm in Hertfordshire, which has two cases of Schmallenberg in their lambs. Professor Peter Mertens explains why midges are thought to be carrying the virus over the Channel, and Dr Matt Horte from the Met Office shows the models they are using to discover where the midges flew to.

Anna Hill meets a vet who has been dealing with Schmallenberg in cattle in Norfolk. Dr Alejandro Thiermann from the World Organisation for Animal Health warns that next year Schmallenberg could affect even more animals. And Professor Matthew Baylis from Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals predicts that the UK could be seeing more midge borne viruses in the future.

Presented by Charlotte Smith. Produced by Emma Weatherill.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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