Livestock Health Scotland is funding SAC Consulting Veterinary Services to monitor bulk milk samples for serological evidence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV).

It is hoped the project will highlight to farmers if there is active SBV in their area.

The surveillance will be conducted through bulk milk sampling looking for antibodies on 50 farms throughout the country.

These samples will be collected monthly and reports will be made available online. This will provide an early warning of the movement of the disease in to previously unaffected areas.

SBV was active in the midge population in southern Scotland during late summer and early winter last year, with a number of clinical cases.

Spring-calving cows and early lambing ewes may be most at risk, and producers should seek advice for their farm if the SBV threat is confirmed.

Vaccine availability is not guaranteed.