THE first batch of bluetongue vaccine is ready to be distributed to farmers in the Dorset-wide disease protection zone.

Livestock owners in the area are being encouraged to vaccinate their stock to minimise the risk of further outbreaks. There have been more than 70 confirmed cases since the first outbreak at French's Farm, Upton, in February.

The one million doses will be shared with the other protection zone, which covers much of the east of England and the south coast.

However, David House, tenant farmer at French's Farm, said the distribution of the vaccine has come far too late.

He said: "The government have known bluetongue was going to come over here from Europe for about five years, so why wasn't anything done?

"A lot more could have been done a lot earlier."

The protection zone means farmers cannot sell outside the restricted area, which severely limits their trade.

Even with the distribution of the vaccine, the best case scenario for farmers will be to start trading fully again by August.

Cattle need a double dose of the vaccine spread over three weeks, after which farmers must wait 60 days - the maximum time the virus lives for - until they can start trading outside the restriction zone again.

Sheep will only need a single dose of BTV8 to be protected.

It is expected that a further two million doses will become available in the coming days.

Acting chief veterinary officer Alick Simmons said: "Vaccination offers the only realistic prospect of controlling bluetongue."

This is the first time a vaccine has been developed for use in northern Europe.

Environment secretary Hilary Benn said: "The success of our control and vaccination strategy will ultimately depend upon the industry itself. The message to animal keepers is clear: Don't hesitate, vaccinate."

The bluetongue virus is spread by midges and can be fatal to cows, sheep, goats and deer.

It was first found in Dorset in a nine-month-old calf at French's Farm during a routine pre-movement blood test.

Full details of how to get livestock vaccinated are available at defra.gov.uk.