Why did England and Wales opt for a voluntary plan?
In line with the Core Group of industry stakeholders, we believe that mass vaccination can be best – and most rapidly – achieved through a voluntary approach, supported by an industry-led communications campaign promoting the benefits of vaccination. Compulsory schemes were considered, but even with compulsion, the UK will continue to be at risk of introduction of disease through potential cross-Channel vector spread from Northern Europe and the legitimate trade in animals from other Member States. The scientific evidence does not support an immediate prospect of eradication of BTV8 from Europe through vaccination next year. Thus the benefits of compulsory vaccination, which would only be a credible option if other EU member States were also close to eradication, would not be realised.
